GSS EU Science Funding Gateway

The existing solutions operating at 500 bar have not yet reached the physical optimal efficiency and the optimum cost. Research and innovation should address this problem of increasing the mass of hydrogen transported during a transport. This objective can be reached by a significant increase in the operating pressure of the tubes employed in the transport while ensuring the safety of people and goods.

The final objective is to reach an operating pressure of 700 bar by 2030. New solutions, based on new competitive materials or concepts, are needed to achieve the target of 1,500 kg H2 tube trailer payload at operating pressure 700 bar by 2030, such as but not limited to:

• New lighter tubes manufactured with/without liners of improved performance materials (high strength alloyed steel, stainless steel or polymeric material) in combination with improved reinforcement (composite), in order to increase the pressure conditions, reducing the weight of the tube and assuring the requested safety levels and durability, with affordable manufacturing costs. Considerations for resistance to corrosion to be considered as necessary;
• The deployment of a new design of high-pressure cylinder based on regulatory / normative documents (as per example EN 17339 that allows composite tubes with reduced safety factor);
• Large diameter composite tubes;
• More efficient filament winding and components such as valves, etc.

The applicant should identify if the proposed solutions are covered by existing standards and/or regulations. A maximal hazard potential and its likelihood should be taken into account. If gaps are identified, the proposal should list these gaps and indicate the relevant activities that should be performed to fill these gaps.

Applicants should propose new solutions to decrease the specific weight (e.g. per unit of hydrogen transported) of the package.