Quantity and Pressure limitation

This LAP¨refers to the quantity and pressure limitations. It underlines what are the requirements and limitations in terms of pressure and quantity of hydrogen for hydrogen transport. Finally, it shows if it is possible to increase the pressure/quantity, and if yes which authority is competent, what is the process to follow, how long does it takes and what are the costs associated if known.

Glossary:

Quantity and Pressure limitation represent the maximum quantity and/or pressure of gases which is allowed to be transported.

Pan-European Assessment:

There is no limitation in terms of pressure, (mostly transported at around 200-300 bars) In terms of quantity, the limitation is connected to the maximum weight the truck can transport.
Is it a barrier?
Yes
Type of Barrier
Structural barrier
Assessment Severity
2
Assessment
New hydrogen container certification process can take several months of time.

Questions:

Question 1 What are the pressure requirements and limitations accepted for hydrogen transport by road?
To date (2017) the hydrogen bottles are delivered at 200 and 300 bar pressures. If only the gas cylinder is certified, there is no additional pressure limitation of transport on roads.
Question 2 What are the quantity requirements and limitations accepted for hydrogen transport by road?
1) Up to the “free limit” of 333 litres of hydrogen there are no route restrictions. The driver has to be sufficiently trained (meaning aware s/he is transporting flammable gas), there has to be at least a 2 kg fire extinguisher and there has to be an appropriate marking in the cargo book. 2) Transportation of amounts over 333 litres of hydrogen is regulated more strictly. 2.1) In the unlikely event that vehicle is not classified as a container vehicle, it does not have to be ADR classified as FL (flammable gas) and it does not have route restrictions. This is the case if there are separate hydrogen bottles not connected to each other. Still all the other ADR restrictions are valid: the driver has to ADR qualified, the driver and vehicle need to have proper equipment, no passangers etc. 2.2) If the vehicle is classified as container vehicle, the vehicle has to be ADR classified as FL (flammable gas) and does have ADR route restrictions. The usual way of transporting hydrogen is in MEG containers in which individual bottles are interconnected with pipes. This is interpreted as container in vehicle context. 3) In the ADR regulation the overall maximum weight is defined for the vehicles. Since hydrogen is the lightest element in the universe, it hardly limits the mass, rather the weight of the bottles.
Describe the comparable technology and its relevance with regard to hydrogen
Transport of pressure vessels, transport of dangerous goods.

National legislation:

EU Legislation: