HIGH-PRESSURE HYDROGEN TANK FOR FCHV 2007-01-2009

Toyota has developed its own 35 MPa and 70 MPa high-pressure hydrogen tanks for fuel cell vehicles, and obtained certification from the High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan for both tanks. The newly developed high-pressure hydrogen tanks have been made lighter and stronger. This has been accomplished by using a unique sealing structure to improve hydrogen gas sealing reliability, a polyamide plastic liner with high strength and excellent hydrogen permeation prevention properties to stop hydrogen leakage, and an all-composite tank (VH4) with carbon fiber coiled around the outer surface of the plastic liner. This article describes the characteristics of the structure and production of high-pressure hydrogen tanks developed by Toyota.