Webinar Q&A

1. What is the expected cycle life of the bladder accumulator?

(see webinar for more detailed response)

There are 2 parts to consider in the bladder accumulator cycle life, the Shell and the bladder.

The shell base assumption are  

Medium pressure – Expectation is over 15 year life – based on 20 cycles per day (based on 365 days), 2 ½ cycles per refuellings  = around 275,000 Cycles

High pressure – Expectation is over 15 year life – based on, 20 cycles per day (based on 365 days), 1 cycles per refuellings  = around 110,000 Cycles

The same bladder is in both the medium and high pressure vessels.

The bladder is classed as a consumable part with an expected life of around 2 years (subject to volumetric ratio applied)

Target – 35,000 cycles– based on 20 cycles per day (based on 365 days), 2 ½ cycles per refuellings  = around 36,500 Cycles

2. What happens if there is a bladder failure? –

(see webinar for more detailed response)

The bladder has been identified as a potential risk in the system and as such mitigating solutions have been put in place.

N.B.  It is important to note that if there is a failure in the bladder that because there is balanced pressure on either side of the bladder the oil will not be rushing into the gas side, more that the gas will defuse into the oil, which will be identified on the Hydraulic side via;

• Volumetrically more Oil (i.e oil with gas) will be released than was recorded as being injected
• Pressure increase in the return line

The system has various sensors to detect these issues and immediately and safely stop the system.

3. When do you see this technology commercialised? –

(see webinar for more detailed response)

• The project is current a full scale prototype and is currently being validated in a relevant industrial environment some we would regarding it as being around Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5.
• The next stage would to increase the operating time and start to demonstrate it in the relevant environment to achieve TRL 7.
• Look at optimising the current design to focus on the relevant functions including simplifying some of the processes
• This could all be achieved in as little as 3 years time

4. What other application do you see this being useful for?

• This technology is suitable for both constant and intermittent application, therefore we see that this could be extended to all fuelling applications (buses, trains, boats etc) at different pressures and quantities of fuelling.
• There is additional possibilities for Tube trailer and cylinder bundle filling, downstream of production from something like a PEM electrolyser, to create a hydrogen network model of refuelling and distribution.

5. What are the next steps for the project?

• The next stage would to increase the operating time and start to demonstrate it in the relevant environment to achieve TRL 7.
• Look at optimising the current design to focus on the relevant functions including simplifying some of the processes
• Review areas for further improvement and cost reductions for a commercial offering.

6. Who do you see taking this type of product to market?

• Clearly the 2 main industrial partners in the consortium (Hexagon and Haskel) can see the benefits in this technology and how it could complement their existing portfolio of products, therefore it would be most like that the industrial partners will be key in taking this to a commercialised product offering.

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