Novi-based Noble Gas Systems has introduced its latest generation of conformable gas tanks, designed to offer a gas storage and delivery system for natural gas and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Large-scale adoption of the vehicles requires safe and efficient high-pressure gas storage. Noble Gas’ latest tanks can be configured into existing vehicle architectures. The tanks have working pressures of 350 bar and are lightweight and less than 80 millimeters wide.
“We are currently working on a number of development projects with customers and have completed our own proof-of-concept vehicle — a retrofitted 2019 Polaris Ranger EV — to demonstrate the tank in real-world conditions,” says Chris Kondogiani, a spokesman at Noble Gas. “Although there is additional work to be done to make the storage system production ready and viable for additional markets, we have achieved very important milestones. We have a solid road map to complete the commercialization process and continue to develop solutions for higher pressures.”
The storage tank is comprised of a polymer liner, woven reinforcement, and a protective outer shell and can accommodate most compressed gases including natural gas, air, oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen.
Kondogiani says the system meets burst and hydrogen permeation requirements for 350-bar working pressures and has a leak-before-burst failure mode to prevent an instantaneous release of high-pressure gas.
Designed with conformability in mind, Kondogiani says the system can be fabricated in a variety of shapes and sizes to be integrated into existing product configurations. In addition to the transportation industry, it has applications in the defense, aviation, marine, and industrial gas industries.
Noble Gas Systems was founded in 2017.
