Proposed by the IHFCA Standardization Working Committee and led by FORVIA Group, the standard “Fully-wrapped carbon fiber reinforced cylinders or compressed hydrogen skid container application” has passed the project establishment review in accordance with the relevant regulations of the IHFCA Standardization Working Directives. It has now been officially included in the International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association's standard development plan, with the drafting task number: 2025-002.
Standard Development Background
With the large-scale development of the hydrogen energy industry, high-pressure gaseous hydrogen storage and transportation equipment is evolving from conventional steel tube trailers toward lightweight, higher-pressure, and higher-density storage and transportation solutions. Cylinder-type containers, i.e. Multiple-Element Gas Containers (MEGCs), using carbon-fiber fully-wrapped cylinders as the core hydrogen storage elements, offer advantages such as low tare weight, high hydrogen storage efficiency, and modular configuration. They represent an important equipment pathway for improving the efficiency of medium- and long-distance gaseous hydrogen transportation.
At present, relevant regulations and standards have been established both domestically and internationally for individual gas cylinders, transportable pressure equipment, dangerous goods transportation, and hydrogen supply interfaces at hydrogen refuelling stations. However, systematic technical requirements for the integrated equipment of “compressed hydrogen carbon-fiber fully-wrapped cylinder-type MEGCs” still need to be further harmonized. In particular, industry-consensus technical specifications are required for product classification, design pressure levels, integrated design of cylinders and frames, configuration and layout of piping and valves, pressure relief and safety venting, testing, factory inspection, and periodic inspection.
The purpose of developing this standard is to define the technical requirements for compressed hydrogen carbon-fiber fully-wrapped cylinder-type MEGCs, provide systematic and standardized guidance for hydrogen fully-wrapped cylinder-type containers, and establish industry-consensus technical specifications.
Standard Development Scope
This standard is intended to specify the general technical requirements for compressed hydrogen carbon-fiber fully-wrapped cylinder-type Multiple-Element Gas Containers (MEGCs). It applies to cylinder-type containers used for the storage and transportation of compressed hydrogen, which use carbon-fiber fully-wrapped gas cylinders as hydrogen storage elements and are integrated with frames, support structures, piping, valves, accessories, and identification systems.
The specific contents include, but are not limited to: scope and applicable objects; terms and definitions; product classification and model designation; general design requirements; requirements for materials and key components; manufacturing, assembly, and quality control requirements; testing and inspection requirements; safety accessories and protection functions; marking, documentation, and traceability; operation, maintenance, and safety management.
The above definitions and technical requirements will provide a unified technical basis for product development, design review, manufacturing inspection, engineering application, and market access, thereby promoting the safe, reliable, and large-scale application of high-pressure gaseous hydrogen storage and transportation equipment.
Call for Co-leading and Co-Development Organizations
The IHFCA Standard of “Fully-wrapped carbon fiber reinforced cylinders or compressed hydrogen skid container application” has initiated the process for application to participate in its drafting. We sincerely invite relevant enterprises, research institutions, and experts in the industry to actively participate in the formulation of the standard, working together to advance the global standardization of the hydrogen energy and fuel cell industry.
IHFCA provides many different opportunities to contribute to the global hydrogen community.
Please contact the Industry and Standards Research Department of IHFCA to get involved in the relevant working group and we will reply within 24 hours.
Industry and Standards Research Department, International Hydrogen Energy and Fuel Cell Association
Email: weilinzhang@ihfca.net