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May 17, 2024

Tank Tales: Hydrogen’s Better than Bullet Proof Safety Shield

Welcome to our continuing H2X’s series on why zero-emission hydrogen-powered vehicles are the future, we now turn our focus to hydrogen safety, highlighting H2X’s bulletproof tanks. Debunking the tank tales.

Design around hydrogen:

Unlike petrol, which risks flammability and accumulation beneath vehicles, hydrogen’s lighter-than-air nature allows for safe dispersal into the atmosphere in the unlikely event of a leak. At H2X we prioritise safety and understand Hydrogen, our vehicle designs incorporate Hydrogen escape paths away from passenger compartments to mitigate any potential risks.

Bullet proof hydrogen tanks:

H2X’s hydrogen tanks are crafted from Carbon fibre at twice the industry standard for bulletproof cars. This extra carbon enhances our tanks’ structural integrity and opens the door to some read worthy testing possibilities.

Toyota and the United States Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) have researched the resilience of Type IV, 700 bar hydrogen tanks (like those designed by H2X) against external threats. These tests included the rigorous External Violence Safety Test on the tanks’ ability to withstand diverse levels of ballistic impact while still ensuring a controlled release of hydrogen. Bob Carter, Toyota’s SVP for Automotive Operations, emphasized the tanks’ resilience in his speech to the Automotive News World Congress, highlighting their ability to withstand small and large calibre bullets. Similarly, TARDEC’s ballistic live fire tests underscored the tanks’ durability, with only armour-piercing rounds penetrating the Hydrogen Tank, leading to controlled venting without catastrophic failure.

And just when you thought the crescendo complete, TARDEC elevated the stakes by firing a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) at a Type IV Hydrogen Tank. Upon impact, the hydrogen tank was found to be penetrated by the RPG and vent swifty . However, even under such extreme conditions, Hydrogen tank displayed remarkable resilience, remaining otherwise intact, limited shrapnel, and avoided catastrophic bursting.

Beyond Bulletproof

Modern hydrogen tanks also incorporate advanced valves inspired by professional high-pressure firefighting systems, designed to promptly respond to any pressure, thermal, or impact activity. With multiple layers of materials, including additional carbon fibre composites and flame-resistant compounds, our tanks prioritize safety while facilitating rapid and controlled hydrogen release in case of malfunction.

Legislation and Continuous Improvement

Despite historical misconceptions, hydrogen technology has been utilized for industrial purposes for nearly two centuries, ensuring stringent safety standards. H2X Global remains committed to ongoing improvement, actively engaging with global communities and regulatory bodies such as the US DOE’s (Department of Energy or Energy Department)) Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office and the AIChE to advance safety measures and best practices.

As we embark on this journey towards a sustainable transportation future, H2X Global invites our partners, collaborators, and customers to join us in driving the change towards hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Follow H2X Global’s journey towards safer, sustainable transportation on our website and social media channels.

#HydrogenMobility #SustainableTransport #ZeroEmmission

May 9, 2024

Driving Change: The Case for Zero-Emission Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles

The transport sector is responsible for 20 to 30 % of all greenhouse gas emission, urgent action is imperative. Here’s why zero-emission hydrogen-powered vehicles make sense:

 

  1. Lower Total Cost of Ownership: With fewer moving parts, Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) have lower lifetime costs and minimal downtime compared to traditional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles.
  2. Adaptable: With diverse needs across various vehicle applications, FCEVs emerge as the optimal solution for commercial use. Unlike Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), which compromise loading capacity due to heavy batteries, FCEV trucks maintain comparable payloads to traditional ICE vehicles. Additionally, FCEVs offer flexibility by allowing the addition of extra tanks to extend driving range as needed.
  3. Harnessing Hydrogen as an Energy Carrier: Both Hydrogen ICE and FCEVs utilize hydrogen as an energy source with more energy friendly storage as opposed to other fuel options.
  4. Refuelling Efficiency: Rapid refuelling times of hydrogen-powered vehicles, especially FCEVs, translate into enhanced work capacity and reduced downtime for fleet owners.
  5. Seamless Integration into Existing Infrastructure: Hydrogen ICE and hydrogen FCEVs can use the same refuelling stations, many requiring minimal investment for infrastructure adaptation. This contrasts with other electrical charging systems, which require massive investments for a full-scale rollout.
  6. Innovative FCEV Technologies: H2X proprietary capacitors do not need any separate lithium batteries, resulting in cleaner energy and superior performance and longevity.
  7. Embracing Global Initiatives: From UN Climate Action initiatives to collaborations between cities (https://www.c40.org/cities/ ) transforming transport is a global priority.
  8. Shift to Fossil-Free Powertrains: Environmental concerns demand a shift away from fossil-fuelled vehicles. FCEV solutions not only address these concerns but also align with existing user needs.

Follow H2X and join us on the journey towards better transport solutions as we strategically target the commercial transport sector.

Article written by Antony Tolfts, Magnus Olsson, Ian Thompson & Amber Wright