LNG COMPOSITE FUEL TANK

The objective is to select, through a screening process, suitable material solutions applicable for a composite pressure tank with internal polymeric liner that can operate safely for 20 years at the extreme temperature of -163C. The selected suitable mat erial combinations will be tested for pre-qualification testing. - Selection and screening of cost efficient composite materials. - Selection and screening of polymeric liner materials that comply with operation temperatures of -163C. - Find a method to combine the liner and composite thermal properties to generate a combined composite material complying with the operational requirements of the tank application. - Find simple test methods to screen solutions and to perform the testing itself. Explore s uitable composite materials is essential for obtaining a cost efficient solution. Confirming their long term performance at low temperatures is needed to ensure sufficient reliability and safety of the solution. Composites are not gas tight under pressur e. For this reason a good membrane needs to be found. Current solutions for room temperature service would be brittle and unsuitable at -163C. A different or possibly new polymer formulation needs to be found. The interaction between structural laminate and polymer liner is a challenge for today?s solutions. Empirical or experience based solutions are often used. A deeper and more fundamental understanding of the interaction of composites and viscoelastic liners is needed to find a reliable system at -1 63C. Applicable materials solutions will be selected through screening tests. Testing is significantly more complicated at -163C than at room temperature, especially if long term data is determined. Developing test methods that can address the challenges of this design will be important for a proper selection process. Selection and developing the right materials and their combinations is one of the major challenges for this project. The