Storage Solution Unveiled, Firming Up Hydrogen Trucking’s Future

Storage Solution Unveiled, Firming Up Hydrogen Trucking’s Future

Hydrogen trucking got a big boost from the release of two new fuel tanks designed to take on some of the toughest jobs on the road. Cummins Inc. partner NPROXX recently revealed two 700 bar pressure vessels that the Dutch company announced are “set to revolutionize the transportation industry, driving the transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.”

Derek Kiesler, Director- Cummins Global Fuel Delivery Systems Business, noted that the German-engineered AH710-70 and AH620-70, both Type IV composite tanks, will help build confidence among fleets considering hydrogen powered trucks.

“These pressure vessels from Cummins and NPROXX are first-to-market in terms of large diameter, 700bar, H2 pressure vessels that meet rigorous R134 certification. These innovations will enable the trucking market to adopt H2 powertrain solutions with more comfort and ease of use in their fleets,” Kiesler said.

Hydrogen internal combustion engines (H2-ICE) and hydrogen fuel cells have shown promise through research and development to provide clean, critical power for Class 8 decarbonization. The NPROXX development can serve as a solution to onboard fuel storage. Cummins and NPROXX report tackling the need with tank capacity coupled with the highest industry standards of safety.

Engineered for demanding long-haul applications, the AH710-70 and AH620-70 are NPROXX’s latest Type IV composite tanks to draw on the company’s 20 years of experience with carbon fiber reinforced pressure vessels. The products were designed to provide the fuel fleets need for demanding work.

Range will depend on the number of installed tanks, powertrain efficiency and duty cycle. Kiesler offered that a stack of four back-of-cab AH710-70 tanks would be “expected to provide onboard storage with ranges up to 600 miles.” Fuel refill time with that same configuration is predicted to take roughly 15 minutes.

NPROXX highlighted its emphasis on safety and quality requirements in announcing the tanks. The AH710-70 features a compact footprint, storing up to 22.2 kg of hydrogen in a tank with a 27.5 inch diameter. Its overall length, including the valve, is 96.6 inches. Additional tank lengths will be available to optimize fitment in various applications.

With a 12.4 kg capacity, the AH620-70 has a smaller diameter of 24 inches and a shorter length of 75.5 inches allowing it to fit in tighter configurations. It weighs in at 465 lbs.

Both tanks feature a neck mounting design for ease of integration into various vehicle architectures, enhancing their versatility.

Engineered to provide up to 30 years of service, the AH710-70 and AH620-70 continue to undergo rigorous certification according to R134 and HGV2.0 standards. Certification is underway now for the AH620-70 with the AH710-70 to closely follow in early 2025.

“Having these Type IV hydrogen pressure vessels ready for commercial vehicle H2-powered trucks will enable a range and confidence in the driver and fleet by maximizing capacity and minimizing qty of pressure vessels, on-tank valves, piping, leak-points, etc.,” Kiesler said.

Fueling success

NPROXX promotes its tank design as an innovation paving the way for “future pressure vessels with varying lengths and greater hydrogen capacity… offering customized solutions to meet diverse needs across the heavy vehicle and automotive sector.”

Type IV hydrogen tanks are the gold standard for vehicle use. According to the Department of Energy, Type IV pressure vessels contain plastic liners reinforced with carbon fiber composite material. Carbon fiber weighs considerably less than metal and provides plenty of strength for storing hydrogen under high pressure. A 700 bar pressure vessel equates to 10,000 lbs. per square inch.

As emissions regulations continue to tighten, more fleets are looking to hydrogen as a viable path to decarbonization. Cummins has answered that call with its Higher Efficiency Low Emissions and Multiple Fuels (HELM) platform which includes natural gas, advanced diesel and H2-ICE in the future.

In addition to providing zero-emission battery systems, electrolyzers and powertrain systems, Cummins subsidiary Accelera also offers hydrogen fuel cells engineered to meet the rigorous demands of medium- and heavy-duty trucks, buses and trains.