Zero Embrittlement H2 Tank Coating Testing ( Phase 3 )

随着氢经济的增长，对安全氢存储的需求也在增长。这种需求在不断增长，并且对更大的存储容量的需求也在不断增加。与不断增长的需求同步的是，需要降低生产和存储氢气的总体成本，并确保其在住宅、商业和工业环境中的安全。氢气存储通常在由碳钢、不锈钢、铝和陶瓷衬里以及用于更高压力的碳纤维制成的储罐中进行(主要用于运输)。为了达到上述增加体积、降低成本的要求，最具成本效益的方法就是使用碳钢储罐。然而，使用碳钢有一个重大缺点，那就是储存在钢罐中的加压氢气最终会导致钢材的脆化，带来潜在的灾难性后果。2009年发布的健康与安全执行研究报告RR715指出：**氢可导致高强度钢、钛合金和铝合金的脆化，导致金属在应力下开裂和灾难性失效“。**Creo International设计了一种混合环氧聚合物涂料来衬里储氢罐的内部，以防止脆化发生，从而提高储氢罐的安全性和寿命。此外，涂层还将防止氢泄漏(这是储存氢的最大问题之一)。Creo已经在彭布罗克码头制造了储氢罐，并一直在与斯旺西大学合作，在高强度和高压环境下测试涂层。斯旺西大学的第一阶段测试取得了巨大成功，第二阶段测试将于2023年12月开始，费用由Creo公司承担，不包括这项赠款申请。然而，这项申请将把测试提升到一个新的水平，从2024年4月1日开始第三阶段测试，并将包括在40巴的加压氢气条件下对涂层进行长期测试。第四阶段将考虑压力高达200巴的影响。这项测试将在彭布罗克郡进行，并由斯旺西大学进行监测和测试(与第一阶段和第二阶段相同)。一个成功的项目将使彭布罗克郡能够制造一系列安全、负担得起、寿命长、维护成本低的储氢罐，用于工业、运输和住宅用途。此外，该项目的成功还将使钢质管道得到改装涂层，并为准备用于甲烷/氢气混合或100%氢气管道的新管道提供涂层。

As the hydrogen economy grows, so does the demand for safe hydrogen storage. This demand is constantly growing and for larger storage capabilities. Running parallel with increasing demand is the need to reduce the overall cost of producing and storing hydrogen and to ensure its safety in residential, commercial and industrial settings.Hydrogen storage usually takes place in tanks made of carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminium & ceramic lined and carbon fibre for higher pressures ( mostly for transportation ). In order to achieve the above requirements of increasing volume and lowering cost, the most cost-effective method is using carbon steel tanks. However, there is a major drawback using carbon steel, in that pressurised hydrogen stored in a steel tank will in time cause embrittlement of the steel with potential catastrophic consequences. The Health & Safety Executive Research Report RR715 published in 2009 states **"Hydrogen can cause embrittlement of high strength steels, titanium alloys and aluminium alloys with cracking and catastrophic failure of the metals at stress".**Creo International has designed a hybrid epoxy polymer coating to line the inside of hydrogen storage tanks which will prevent embrittlement taking place, hence increasing the safety and lifespan of the tanks. In addition, the coating will also prevent hydrogen leaks ( one of the biggest problems in storing hydrogen ). Creo already manufactures hydrogen storage tanks in Pembroke Dock and has been working with Swansea University to test the coating in intense and high pressure environments. Phase 1 testing by Swansea University has been a great success and Phase 2 testing will commence December 2023 at Creo's expense outside of this grant application.This application however, is to take the testing to a new level with Phase 3 from the 1st April 2024 and will include long-term testing of the coating with pressurised hydrogen at 40 Bar. Phase 4 will consider the implications with much higher pressure up to 200 Bar.This testing will take place in Pembrokeshire and be monitored and tested by Swansea University (as in phases 1 and 2). A successful project will enable a range of safe and affordable hydrogen storage tanks with long lifespans and low maintenance to be manufactured in Pembrokeshire for industry, transportation and residential use.In addition, a successful result from this project will also enable retrofit coating of steel pipelines and coating of new pipelines ready for methane/hydrogen blending or 100% hydrogen pipelines.