On September 16, the equipment manufacturer BBG of Germany released the HP-RTM mold concept that can be automatically closed. It can realize the rapid modular mass production of integrated CFRP hydrogen storage tanks without the need for subsequent processing equipment such as presses and autoclaves. Available in a variety of models.
According to BBG, because the hydrogen storage tank is assembled from independent CFRP cylinder modules, these small hydrogen cylinders can be fully customized to meet the space needs of different models. In addition, the internal withstand pressure of the hydrogen storage tank is as high as 700 bar, and the cruising range supported is equivalent to that of a hydrogen internal combustion engine passenger car/commercial vehicle.
BBG said that the inner lining of the hydrogen cylinder was braided with carbon fiber and sent to the mold. At most 15 hydrogen cylinders with a diameter of 50mm or more can be produced at the same time each time. Then, the heated mold automatically closes, injects the low-viscosity resin mixture, soaks the carbon fiber braid, and evenly wraps each fiber without any defects. After curing is completed in the mold, the molded parts are taken out and assembled into a hydrogen storage tank.
The company said that compared with other processes, this process requires a smaller investment. More importantly, replacing large-sized hydrogen storage units with integrated hydrogen cylinders greatly facilitates the development of fuel cell vehicles. A research and development project called Bryson jointly participated by the Dresden University of Technology, Munich University, BMW and other scientific research institutions is to achieve such technical requirements.
"Under high-pressure conditions, hydrogen storage tanks need to have extremely high component stability. In the design and production process of HP-RTM molds, we strive to achieve the ultimate accuracy." BBG project sales manager Gerhard Hörtrich explained, "In order to simultaneously To improve production efficiency, we have also developed and integrated a reliable sealing system. This system eliminates the need for secondary manual intervention in the process of resin mixtures."