What is the tank material of Toyota Mirai?
The Toyota Mirai, a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle, utilizes high-strength carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) for its hydrogen storage tanks. This advanced material provides the necessary strength and durability to safely contain the compressed hydrogen fuel while keeping the overall weight of the vehicle low.
Understanding the Hydrogen Storage Tanks
The Toyota Mirai is equipped with two hydrogen storage tanks, each made of CFRP. This lightweight yet strong material is crucial for the safe and efficient storage of the compressed hydrogen fuel, which is a key component of the vehicle's fuel cell system.
- CFRP Construction: The hydrogen tanks are constructed using multiple layers of carbon fiber reinforced plastic, providing exceptional strength and impact resistance.
- Compressed Hydrogen Storage: The tanks store the hydrogen fuel at a high pressure of around 70 MPa (10,000 psi), allowing for a greater driving range compared to lower-pressure systems.
- Safety Features: The CFRP tanks are designed to withstand extreme conditions, including collisions and fire, ensuring the safety of the vehicle's occupants and the surrounding environment.
The use of CFRP for the Mirai's hydrogen storage tanks is a testament to Toyota's commitment to developing safe and efficient hydrogen-powered vehicles that can contribute to a more sustainable future.
Advantages of CFRP for Hydrogen Storage
The choice of CFRP for the Mirai's hydrogen storage tanks offers several key advantages:
- Lightweight: CFRP is significantly lighter than traditional metal tanks, reducing the overall weight of the vehicle and improving its energy efficiency.
- High Strength-to-Weight Ratio: CFRP has an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, allowing the tanks to withstand high pressures while maintaining a compact and lightweight design.
- Corrosion Resistance: CFRP is resistant to corrosion, ensuring the long-term durability and reliability of the hydrogen storage system.
- Safety: The CFRP tanks are designed to withstand impacts, fires, and other extreme conditions, providing a high level of safety for the vehicle's occupants and the surrounding environment.
These advantages make CFRP an ideal material for the hydrogen storage tanks in the Toyota Mirai, contributing to the vehicle's overall efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability.
What are the disadvantages of the Toyota Mirai?
Disappointing Cargo Capacity. The Toyota Mirai needs more cargo and personal item storage, which could be a significant downside for those who need ample space. The trunk offers a limited capacity of just 9.6 cubic feet, which is relatively small for a car of its size.
How long does a tank of hydrogen last on a Toyota Mirai?
The carbon fibre-reinforced plastic tanks store the hydrogen at a pressure of 700 bar. The MIRAI is powered by a 114 kW/155 PS* electric motor. Its high-performance fuel cell is backed with a battery that also stores the braking energy. With a tank capacity of five kilos, the MIRAI achieves a range of 500 km.
What happens if a hydrogen tank explodes?
A boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion (BLEVE) occurs when the liquid hydrogen tank is heated and explodes [5]. An explosion rapidly emits energy and is accompanied by blast waves, fragments, debris, heat fluxes, noise, etc.
Does the Toyota Mirai use liquid hydrogen?
At the core of Mirai, hydrogen from the fuel tank and air entering from the intake grille meet in the Fuel Cell Stack. There, a chemical reaction involving the oxygen in the air and hydrogen creates electricity—powering Mirai. In the end, the only by-product is water.
What are the fuel tanks made of in Toyota Mirai?
carbon fiber-reinforced plastic
The Mirai has two hydrogen tanks with a three-layer structure made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic consisting of nylon 6 from Ube Industries and other materials. The tanks are 122 litres (27 imp gal; 32 US gal) combined, and store hydrogen at 70 MPa (10,000 psi).
Is there a downside to hydrogen cars?
More energy- and labor-intensive to store and transport hydrogen than gasoline or diesel fuel. Fuel cells are expensive to replace. Safety concerns over hydrogen flammability and electrical shock. Maintenance costs remain unclear.
Does hydrogen leak out of tanks?
Ensuring there are no leaks in the tank is of critical importance. Because the hydrogen is stored at high pressure it will leak out of the tank and can be detected with an ambient H2 monitor.
What type of fuel cell is in the Toyota Mirai?
Toyota Mirai technical specifications vs FCHV-adv
| FUEL CELL STACK | TOYOTA MIRAI |
|---|---|
| Type | Polymer electrolyte fuel cell |
| Humidification system | Internal circulation |
| Max. output (bhp/kW) | 153/114 |
| Volume-power density (kW/l) | 3.1 |
What material is hydrogen tank?
Typically, the inner vessel material used is 304 SS and the outer vessel is a combination of 304 SS and carbon steel depending on location. 316 SS or 316L material can be used, but due to higher cost and lower strength, are typically only used for higher purity systems.
Is hydrogen car tank safe?
The whole tank is lined with plastic to seal in the hydrogen. As mentioned above, the tanks have been subjected to extremely severe testing. They are designed to withstand up to 225% of their operating pressure, which is clearly a very comfortable safety margin.
