The Application of SCRIMP VARTM Fabrication Technology to the Compressed Natural Gas Integrated Storage System

摘要

A low-cost composite structure was developed for The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory's Advanced Natural Gas Vehicle Integrated Storage System as part of a multi-year project funded by the Department of Energy to advance the technology of light-duty, natural gas powered vehicles. The Integrated Storage System structure consists of two mating shells that, when assembled, contain three high-pressure filament wound cylinders (or pressure cells) for carrying compressed natural gas. A removable valve cover attaches to the assembly to protect the associated gas plumbing. The Seemann Composites' Resin Infusion Molding Process (SCRIMP) vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) was selected for fabrication of the shell and protective cover. This paper describes the major design details, evaluation and selection of materials, process development, tooling, fabrication methods, test results, and lessons learned.