Worthington Industries introduces ThermaGuard hydrogen cylinders, a new solution for transporting and storing high-pressure hydrogen gas

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Worthington Industries, Inc. (NYSE:WOR) today announced the release of ThermaGuard hydrogen cylinders, a new product optimized to meet the unique needs of hydrogen fuel. Meticulously developed using Worthington’s aerospace-grade standards, ThermaGuard hydrogen cylinders are proven to be a more efficient means of transporting and storing high-pressure hydrogen gas.

“Today is an exciting day as we introduce ThermaGuard hydrogen cylinders to the market,” said John H. McConnell II, director of North American High-Pressure Cylinders for Worthington Industries. “Our extensive cross-market experience and research and development of high-pressure composite cylinders has led to a product that enables our customers to extend capacity for hydrogen fuel transportation with faster filling, longer cylinder life and lower equipment and fuel costs. These cylinders will provide sustainable vehicle powertrain and infrastructure developers new opportunities to unlock savings within the hydrogen supply chain.”

ThermaGuard hydrogen cylinders are developed with advanced composite materials and are warranted for their service life at 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 C) operating temperature. This eliminates the need for hydrogen pre-chilling, and cylinder replacement is not necessary when chilling equipment malfunctions or otherwise goes out of calibration. Older composite cylinder designs are limited to operating temperatures of 185 degrees Fahrenheit (85 C), requiring hydrogen to be pre-chilled to protect cylinders from overheating. Chilling hydrogen is expensive and slows the filling process.

ThermaGuard cylinders will help fuel cell and hydrogen powertrain developers and hydrogen refueling stations with:

• Faster filling: ThermaGuard hydrogen cylinders make faster filling a reality by using aerospace-grade composite materials that have a higher temperature rating and an aluminum liner to prevent significant cylinder temperature increases. Without hydrogen pre-chilling, heavy duty vehicles, like Class 8 trucks and transit buses equipped with ThermaGuard hydrogen cylinders, can be filled in 10-15 minutes versus 25-45 minutes.
• Reduced fuel costs: Hydrogen pre-chilling increases the dispensed cost of hydrogen by $0.22 – $2.00 per kilogram depending on the filling parameters. ThermaGuard hydrogen cylinders can eliminate this extra operating cost.
• Reduced capital expenditure: Hydrogen chilling equipment can have a capital cost of $250,000 – $500,000 depending on the fill station operating parameters. ThermaGuard hydrogen cylinders eliminate these capital expenses.
• Reduced range anxiety: ThermaGuard hydrogen cylinders can meet or exceed SAE J2601 objectives for completeness of fill, without hydrogen pre-chilling.
• Extended life cylinders: Chilling equipment and temperature sensors are prone to failure and are difficult to keep running continuously. Should chilling equipment fail, ThermaGuard hydrogen cylinders do not need replaced after being exposed to high temperatures. ThermaGuard hydrogen cylinders have passed 10,000-cycle fill and vent testing.