Arkema Piezotech, France
It is a smart hydrogen tank that detects any mechanical impact, its intensity, and location, while continuously monitoring the tank’s health.
To achieve this, a network of piezoelectric sensors (using Piezotech Arkema materials) is attached to the surface of the tank. An electronic system constantly listens to the tank’s acoustic signals, much like a doctor uses a stethoscope to listen to the heart.
The sensor network is designed to handle the tank’s deformations without losing sensitivity, and it can also withstand the temperature challenges posed by the hydrogen environment. Printed electronics help keep the system lightweight, reduce the number of cables, and make it more robust.
Functionality
The demonstrator will not operate with pressurized hydrogen but will use an empty hydrogen tank. However, the network of piezoelectric sensors will still be able to record impacts, pinpoint their location, and measure their intensity.
A commercial tank equipped with the monitoring solution will be presented.
Users will be invited to create impacts on the tank’s surface using a small hammer and observe, via software and a computer, the location and intensity of the impact.
Benefits of the project
WHAT: Record and localize acoustic waves resulting from mechanical modifications of the composite using piezo-active polymers (SHM).
FOR: Detection of a brutal event (impacts/shocks, strain, pressure etc.). Detection of a premature wear/degradation (declamination, cracks, fatigue etc.).
WHEN: When the tank fills/empties. When the tank suffers a shock (demage from an object on the road etc.).
WHY: Increasing the security of tanks by fatigue/impact identification, realizing the requalification of the tank in real time, optimizing the cost by optimizing the amount of fiber carbon, measuring the residual life of the tank for second life use
Target industry
- New energies
- Automotive
- Hydrogen monitoring
Organic & Printed Components
- Printed piezo elements
Classical Components
- Connector VGA
- BNC cable
- Electronic PCB board
- Computer