Development of Type IV and Type V Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer Tanks

Project overview

Omni Tanker, and partner organisations Lockheed Martin and UNSW, are developing two types of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) tanks for storing and transporting cryogenic liquid propellants.

These will include a Type IV CFRP tank, incorporating a seamless thermoplastic fluoropolymer liner, and a Type V CFRP Linerless tank. The Type IV tank offers extremely broad chemical resistance, improved thermal insulation and low gas permeation. The Type V tank will offer the lightest tank weight with good thermal insulation properties.

The suite of Type IV and Type V CFRP tanks will provide the following benefits to hydrogen and space transport applications:

• Reduced tank mass
• Seamless thermoplastic liner, eliminating breakdown points seen at welded joints
• Extended tank life
• Elimination of relining, resulting in significantly reduced maintenance costs and downtime
• Versatility, as the tanks can two-way load with incompatible liquids
• Structural connection between ‘un-bondable’ thermoplastic liner and CFRP structure
• Reduced permeation through thermoplastic liner
• Improved heat transfer characteristics

For each type of tank, the project tasks include structural design; characterisation of commercially available materials (mechanical, thermal and permeability characteristics); production of small-scale tanks for testing at room temperature and at -196°C in liquid nitrogen; and production and room temperature testing of an operational scale demonstrator. An assessment of commercialisation potential across many sectors will be undertaken for each type of tank.

Project Impact

Expected Impact

• Increased spending on R&D
• Increased number of staff with science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills
• Increased levels of automation
• Increased capital intensity and newer equipment
• Higher product value density (by weight)
• Higher trade intensity
• Larger geographical reach

Expected Growth

• 2022 $2.25M
• 2023 $3M
• 2024 $4M
• 2025 $5M
• 2026 $7M

Expected Jobs

• Two additional engineers
• Two additional technicians with STEM skills

Project Contributions