COPVs

COPV stands for Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessel. These are advanced storage tanks designed to hold high-pressure gases. Unlike traditional metal tanks, COPVs utilize a combination of materials, typically a metallic or plastic liner surrounded by layers of composite fibers like carbon fiber or fiberglass, which are then impregnated with a resin. This construction provides a significantly higher strength-to-weight ratio compared to purely metallic vessels.

The liner serves as a gas-tight barrier, while the composite overwrapping provides the structural integrity to withstand the internal pressure. The design of COPVs allows them to store gases at much higher pressures, leading to increased storage capacity for a given volume or reduced overall weight for a given storage capacity. This makes them ideal for applications where space and weight are critical considerations.

COPVs are widely used in various industries. In the aerospace sector, they are employed for storing fuel, such as hydrogen and oxygen, in rockets and spacecraft. They are also crucial in the automotive industry for compressed natural gas (CNG) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, enabling longer driving ranges. Other applications include industrial gas storage, SCUBA diving cylinders, and portable medical oxygen systems. The development of COPV technology continues to focus on improving performance, reducing costs, and enhancing safety for these diverse applications.