Hexagon Purus delivers lightweight cylinders for hydrogen storage and distribution

The global transport sector is responsible for 20 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, and hydrogen used in fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) has been identified by the European Commission as an important driver for cutting transport emissions.

Hydrogen’s physical properties, however, require it to be stored in cylinders that can handle extremely high pressure, while meeting strict security standards.

Widespread use of hydrogen in the transport sector is therefore dependent on the availability, affordability, and reliability of specialised hydrogen cylinders.

Hexagon Purus provides safe and lightweight cylinders for hydrogen storage. The company’s high-pressure cylinders are made of full carbon fibre, which makes them three times lighter than steel canisters. They can store hydrogen at pressure up to 700 bar.

Hexagon Purus’ hydrogen cylinders come in a variety of sizes depending on application. They can, for example, be used as hydrogen “fuel tanks” in cars, trucks, buses, ships, and trains. Additionally, they can be used for transporting hydrogen from production sites to fuelling stations.

All of Hexagon Purus’ cylinders are thoroughly tested at Hexagon’s state-of-the art facilities, ensuring that they conform to the highest industry standards of safety.

Being made from lightweight composite materials, Hexagon Purus’ cylinders can help to reduce the weight of hydrogen vehicles, in turn lowering fuel consumption. Additionally, the low weight helps to reduce the cost of transporting hydrogen, thus enabling cost-effective expansion of hydrogen infrastructure.

The cylinders’ polymer-lined carbon fibre construction prevents impact damage and ensures higher fatigue resistance compared to metal alternatives. When used in fuel cell electric vehicles, Hexagon Purus’ hydrogen cylinders have already proven to last for over 90 000 km of service without requiring maintenance or replacement.

The market for hydrogen-driven cars, buses and trucks is developing at a rapid pace. The cost of hydrogen is projected to drop by up to 50 per cent by 2030.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the global hydrogen market was worth USD 115 billion in 2017, and is expected to grow exponentially in the years to come. The hydrogen cylinder market, meanwhile, is expected to exceed USD 7 billion by 2030.

Hexagon Purus is part of the Hexagon Group, building on over 60 years of market-leading expertise in gas storage and transport solutions.