Patent ID: 9562646
Date: 2017-02-07
CPC Classifications: F17C,Y02E

Claim:
1. An apparatus for bulk storage of high-pressure hydrogen gas comprising: a plurality of multi-layered tanks adapted to hold the high-pressure hydrogen gas for selective discharge through a distribution unit, each of the plurality of multi-layered tanks including an inner layer and an outer layer each being a metal material, wherein said inner layer is nested within said outer layer, and wherein said inner layer is resistant to hydrogen embrittlement and permits the transfer of hydrogen gas therethrough for venting from said multi-layered tank; a pre-stressed concrete pressure vessel disposed around said plurality of multi-layered tanks and entirely enclosing said plurality of multi-layered tanks except through said distribution unit, said pre-stressed concrete pressure vessel adapted to provide at least a portion of structural support for said plurality of multi-layered tanks, wherein the high-pressure hydrogen gas exerts a cylinder stress on each of said plurality of multi-layered tanks, each of said plurality of multi-layered tanks being adapted to carry a first portion of the cylinder stress and said pre-stressed concrete pressure vessel being adapted to carry a second portion of the cylinder stress, wherein, for each of said plurality of multi-layered tanks, the first portion of the cylinder stress as carried by said multi-layered tank is a substantial portion of the cylinder stress including up to 50% of the cylinder stress, and wherein the second portion of the cylinder stress as carried by said pre-stressed concrete pressure vessel is a substantial portion of the cylinder stress including at least 50% of the cylinder stress.