With its TOPAQ hydrogen supply system, the German family-owned company Poppe & Potthoff offers a modular system solution that enables a safe and efficient hydrogen flow from the tank to the fuel cell or hydrogen engine. Part of this system solution are the tank valves developed by P+P, which have now successfully completed the required tests according to test standard R134 with extension tests according to HGV3.1.
The On Tank Valve (OTV) can be fitted to individual tank cylinders. Several tanks can be filled in parallel via a distribution rail (Parallel Charging Unit (PCU) or also known as a manifold). Depending on the system design, refuelling can take place at 350 bar or 700 bar. The innovative flow routing of the hydrogen through the OTV, together with flow rates that achieve Kv values > 0.28 during refuelling, enable short refuelling times. The optimised H2 inflow into the tank also prevents hotspots inside the tank cylinders.
The OTV weighs less than 1,400 g with a diameter of 160 mm, including a solenoid valve. The built-in solenoid valve is normally closed so that the tanks are closed pressure-tight when no electrical current is present. The cable outlets are bundled on one side, which makes installation and positioning easy. The modular design allows easy integration of various functionalities according to customer requirements. The OTV has a central connection for filling and emptying, as well as an optional connection for a pressure sensor, for example.
The Thermal Pressure Relief Device (TPRD) enables rapid, spatially targeted degassing in the event of a fire and prevents the uncontrolled leakage of hydrogen from the tanks. The component can be installed in different valve variants via a standardised interface: installed in an OTV, as an End Plug and as a Remote TPRD. While the OTV is located at the front and the End Plug TPRD at the rear end of the tank cylinder, the Remote TPRD is attached to the side of the tanks. This permanently ensures that if the activation temperature is exceeded, the TPRDs are triggered, and the tank system is emptied safely.
