Pre-normative research on resistance to mechanical impact of

composite overwrapped pressure vessels

A European Project supported through the Seventh Framework

Programme for the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Technology Initiative.

TODAYS
CHALLENGES

Hydrogen is expected to be highly valuable energy carrier for the 21st century, answering main societal and economical concerns.

Considering the feedback gathered on

cylinders currently in service (mostly metallic), resistance to mechanical impact
is of main concern.

Demonstrating and maximising its safety

in use will contribute to promote its social acceptance and thus its extensive
use as an energy vector.

The HyPactor project, supported by FCH

JTI, aims at strengthening the knowledge
on influence of mechanical impact with
respect to full composite (type-IV) high
pressure cylinders integrity.

HYPACTOR PROJECT STRUCTURE

WP2: Study of damages

due to impacts

WP1: Project
management
Leader : CEA
Participant : ALMA

Leader: CEA
Participants:AL, HEX, NTNU,
WRUT, ISA

WP3: Residual

performance assessment
of impacted tanks

Leader: WRUT
Participants: CEA, NTNU,
HEX, AL, ISA

WP4: Inspection

Methods

Leader: AL
Participants: ISA, HEX,
WRUT, NTNU, CEA

WP5: Dissemination
and RCS
recommendations
Leader: HEX
Participants: CEA, AL; ISA,
WRUT, NTNU, ALMA

ENHANCED CHARACTERISATION OF DAMAGE GENERATED BY

IMPACT. ASSESSMENT OF RESPECTIVE RESIDUAL PERFORMANCES
The main objective is to provide recommendations for Regulation Codes and Standards (RCS) regarding the qualification
of new designs of Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels
(COPV) and the procedures for periodic inspection in service of
COPV subjected to mechanical impacts.
To that aim HyPactor is going to:
U
 nderstand and characterise the relationship between the
impact, the damage and the loss of performance of COPV at
short term and after further pressure loads in service;
D
 evelop models to predict at least short term residual performance of the impacted COPV;
A
 ssess and develop relevant (non-destructive) inspection
procedures and define pass-fail criteria for COPV in service
subjected to mechanical impacts.
The project focuses on applications like stationary buffers but
also transportable cylinders, bundles and tube trailers.

PERSPECTIVES OF HYPACTOR PROJECT

Expected outcomes of the project are primarily:
E
 xtensive experimental database with damage description correlated to variety of impact conditions
chosen for their severity or probability to happen in service
Improved modelling for prediction of residual performance of impacted COPV
R ecommendations for the Regulation Codes and Standards for optimised strategies of safe management
of vessels subjected to mechanical impacts.

Composite vessel behaviour model

Literature and
experimental
data

Mechanicals
impacts and
damages
consequences

Residual
performance

Alternative non-destructive examination

methods and definition of pass-fail criteri

Test on small
cylinders with
different
thicknesses

Validation on
larger cylinder
with various
pressures

Extensive
experimental database
Improved modelling
for prediction
Recommendations
for RCS

CONSORTIUM

The HyPactor project brings together partners with complementary expertise: experts in
testing processes for compressed gaseous hydrogen (CGH2) storage in full composite
vessels (CEA, WRUT), a gas company operating CGH2 technologies (AIR LIQUIDE),
a pressure vessel supplier (HEXAGON), experts in characterisation, particularly nondestructive testing (ISA, WRUT, CEA) and experts in modelling (NTNU), leading actors
in international RCS development (HEXAGON, AIR LIQUIDE, IS, CEA), and an expert in
European R&D collaborative project management (ALMA CG).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Supported by the European Unions Seventh Framework Programme (FP7 / 2007-2013) for the
Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Technology Initiative under grant agreement n 621194 with up to
2.14 M out of a total budget of 4.05 M.

www.hypactor.eu
HyPactor COORDINATOR

WITH THE SUPPORT OF

CEA
Fabien NONY
+33 2 47 34 49 07
fabien.nony@cea.fr

ALMA CG
Richard VAUX
+33 4 72 35 80 30
rvaux@almacg.com