Scientists have created a new 3D-printed mold that dissolved in water to produce linerless, lightweight tanks for storying hydrogen in addition to other gases under high pressure.

The mold, also known as mandrel, was designed by a group of researchers at the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). As part of the project, the team worked together with aerospace firm Infinite Composites, additive manufacturing company JuggerBot 3D, and Oklahoma State University.

Ahmed Arabi Hassen, PhD, who led the project, revealed that the technology uses a specially tailored water-soluble polymer to create the mandrels. These are then used to manufacture Type V composite pressure vessels.

These vessels are entirely made from composite materials. They also do not need a permanent internal liner. On top of that, they can store hydrogen, compressed natural gas, nitrogen, and helium for the aerospace, defense, transportation, and energy industries.

Lightweight gas storage tanks can be difficult to produce especially when creating and removing the internal molds used to shape them. Engineers rely on expensive metal molds or complex tools that must be disassembled before removal.

Hassen discussed the significance of Type V composite pressure vessels, and their potential. “Type V linerless composite pressure vessels represent the next frontier in lightweight, high-pressure gas storage, but their manufacturing remains extremely challenging, particularly when it comes to producing and removing complex internal tooling,” he added.

To tackle the challenge and create a temporary mandrel, the researchers turned to large-format additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing .

Source link