Wind power makes Hydrogen
12 Jul 2002
Quantum Technologies, a subsidiary of Impco Technologies, has been awarded a contract to provide a hydrogen fuel storage system for a wind-generated hydrogen refuelling station being developed for the US South Coast Air Quality Management District.
The goal of the project is to provide wind-generated hydrogen to fuel vehicles from the California Fuel Cell Partnership and the SunLine Transit Agency.
In operation, the output from the wind turbines will be used to power an electrolytic 'fueler' developed by Stuart Energy. This 'fueler' will generate and compress up to twenty-five kilograms of hydrogen that will then be stored in Quantum 's TriShield tanks at pressures up to 6000 psi. It is claimed that this is the first such hydrogen fuel generation facility powered by wind energy.
Earlier this week, Quantum demonstrated a hydrogen storage tank that, the company claimed, boasted a world record 13% hydrogen weight efficiency. The tank was designed and manufactured with a one-piece permeation-resistant seamless liner, a high-performance carbon composite over-wrap for strength, and a proprietary, tough impact-resistant shell.
The technology used to develop the new tank will also be used in the development of lighter, less costly hydrogen storage tanks for fuel cell vehicle applications. Quantum is confident that the achievement will have a direct impact in its ability to surpass the US Department of Energy's 'FreedomCAR' initiative's objective of 6% hydrogen storage by weight in addition to cost and durability targets.
However, the particular tank in question will be optimised for an aerospace application currently under development by NASA and AeroVironment. The final product is targeted to achieve even higher storage efficiency and high cycle life.
