In recent years, the hydrogen fuel cell market has grown significantly. However, despite these developments, several myths about hydrogen, particularly about hydrogen safety, have remained.

What if something happens to the cylinder containing hydrogen? The truth is that the safety of hydrogen cylinders is carefully designed, incorporating advanced technology and rigorous testing to guarantee reliability in real-world situations. PowerUP debunked the myth in a video test.

PowerUP Energy Technologies, in collaboration with the Estonian Military, recently conducted comprehensive testing on two types of hydrogen cylinders to assess their durability and safety under various conditions. The testing focused on a crucial aspect: What happens if a hydrogen cylinder is accidentally dropped from a 1.6-metre height straight onto a concrete floor? This simulation mirrors real-world scenarios such as loading hydrogen cylinders onto vehicles for transportation or storing the cylinders above the ground.

Drop test: evaluating structural integrity

The initial examination involved a drop test, wherein both the CTS Cylinder and the Rheingas 26L Wechselflasche Cylinder were released from a 1.6-metre-high platform onto a concrete surface, simulating a worst-case scenario. The cylinders were placed upright in their normal standing position and then tipped over the edge to fall on the concrete. It represents hydrogen loading onto a transportation vehicle and the accidents that can happen during this process.

The drop test outcomes were categorised into four possibilities, each indicating the cylinder’s response to impact:

1. Total explosion/rupture of inner cylinder structure.
2. Cracked/damaged outer structure, internal structure cracked/damaged, catastrophic leakage rate.
3. Cracked damaged outer structure but intact inner structure, small or no significant leak (less than 25 ppm).
4. No damage to the inner or outer structure, small scratches.

Outcomes 1 and 2 were deemed as failures, while outcomes 3 and 4 were considered successful. 

The first cylinder, the CTS Cylinder, demonstrated resilience by achieving the fourth outcome – no damage to the inner or outer structure, passing the test. The second cylinder type, Rheingas 26L Wechselflasche, attained outcome number 3, also securing a pass in the evaluation.

Overall Test Results

Simply put, hydrogen is safe, comparable to gasoline, diesel, and natural gas. The tanks that store hydrogen undergo thorough testing, including crash and gunfire simulations, meeting strict performance standards. What makes them stand out is their construction using strong composite materials, even stronger than regular steel.

As seen from the video, both the CTS Cylinder, as well as the Rheingas 26 L Wechseflasche cylinders, are tough and secure, ensuring reliability in different sectors. This contributes to debunking common misconceptions and underscores the suitability of hydrogen as a safe and reliable energy source for a variety of applications. 

PowerUP Energy Technologies’ commitment to hydrogen safety is evident, fostering a more accurate understanding of the reliability and security inherent in hydrogen fuel technology for both home and business users.