Development status and challenges of high-pressure gaseous hydrogen storage vessels and cylinders in China

Abstract

Hydrogen energy has emerged as a pivotal pathway for facilitating the global energy transition. The efficient and safe operation of hydrogen storage equipment is important for hydrogen widespread application, while high-pressure gaseous hydrogen storage technology has emerged as the prevailing technique due to its advantages. This article reviews the current development status and challenges of high-pressure gaseous hydrogen storage equipment in China. With regard to stationary vessels, China has introduced an innovation in the form of a multifunctional layered steel vessel to reach a good balance between hydrogen embrittlement control and cost management. The stationary vessels are capable of meeting the requirements of 70 MPa hydrogen refueling stations. Future advancements are directed towards vessels with capacities over several tons for large-scale electrolytic hydrogen production, for which lower cost hydrogen embrittlement resistant materials and innovative multi-layer vessel constructures is needed. In the field of on-board cylinders, Type IV cylinders have been successfully developed and used. The current research focus is on large-capacity Type IV cylinders used in heavy-duty trucks and similar applications. As for the inspection of cylinders, China has proposed an approach to exempt passenger cars with inconvenient disassembly of cylinders from the requirement of disassembly during inspection. Chinese advanced hydrogen safety testing equipment at various levels of material, component and system is developed. The standards for hydrogen storage in refueling stations and fuel cell vehicles are relatively comprehensive. Subsequent work should focus on the standards for other vessel types and large-scale hydrogen storage.