WaVe

As part of the WaVe project, IVW is developing a lightweight-optimized CFRP pressure tank design for storing gaseous hydrogen. Currently, the supply of H2 to the newly developed hydrogen combustion engine in the UNIMOG demonstrator, which has recently obtained road approval, is facilitated by four conventional Type-4 tanks. Initially, this research vehicle provides about 13 kg of stored H2. The goal of the WaVe project is to increase this H2 capacity in the UNIMOG to about 28 kg, while maintaining the same space requirements on the vehicle. In the future, the lightweight tank modules will efficiently utilize the available space and provide the necessary quantity for regular operation. A novel manufacturing process is being developed to create cylindrical pressure vessels with purely axial and circumferentially applied fibers. These vessels possess maximum lightweight design qualities and can be manufactured with very small diameters. The load transfer from the axial layers in the cylindrical section of the pressure vessel is achieved layer by layer using the patented “IVW load introduction”. This method allows for the proper integration of the metal dome regions to carry the load. In contrast to the conventional approach, where a preformed “plastic bladder” is used as the liner, a metal or plastic tube can be utilized as a liner. Additionally, an O-ring is installed to enhance sealing. Initial prototypes have been manu-factured and subjected to burst testing, reaching values up to 160 MPa.

UNIMOG in action: https://www.swr.de/swraktuell/rheinland-pfalz/wasserstoffmotor-unimog-tu-kaiserslautern-100.html