Alternative Fuel Storage Solutions: CNG & Hydrogen
The transition to cleaner energy relies on safe, efficient, and reliable high-pressure storage. CP Industries is at the forefront of this shift, providing state-of-the-art seamless steel and composite vessels for both Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Hydrogen.
We offer comprehensive solutions for the transport and stationary storage of Hydrogen and Compressed Natural Gas, empowering the expansion of refueling infrastructure and the deployment of alternative fuel vehicles.
Supporting the Transition to Clean Energy
For over a century, CP Industries has supplied the large, seamless steel pressure vessels required to safely contain high-pressure gases. This expertise is now central to accelerating the adoption of both natural gas and hydrogen as an alternative fuel.
CP Industries’ Role in CNG and Hydrogen Markets
We design and manufacture certified vessels that are critical to the entire alternative fuels supply chain. Our hydrogen and CNG cylinders are optimized for service conditions, ranging from the extreme pressures of hydrogen storage to the high-volume requirements of CNG dispensing.
We control the ultimate tensile strength of our steel and construction methods to proactively prevent material degradation like hydrogen embrittlement while providing safety and durability.
Transportation Storage
Efficient and compliant transport is key to distributing alternative fuels and creating a virtual pipeline where conventional lines simply do not exist.
Tube Trailers for CNG and Hydrogen
We provide specialized tube trailers for both CNG and Hydrogen, utilizing our seamless steel pressure vessels. Our trailer designs are custom-engineered to comply with local bridge laws and are optimized to provide the maximum possible payload. For international distribution, our Multi-Element Gas Container (MEGC) modules are certified to IMDG and UN rules, permitting stacking and cost-effective ocean shipping.
Regulatory Compliance and Safety Design
All our transport vessels comply with stringent regulations, including US Department of Transportation (DOT) specifications, ISO 11120, UN/USA, TPED, and Canadian requirements. This global compliance allows our vessels to be deployed in diverse markets, safely and legally.
Applications in Municipal and Industrial Fueling
Our transport solutions are essential for delivering fuels directly to municipal fleets, industrial energy users, and temporary fueling stations, often acting as the initial supply line for new clean energy adopters.
Ground Storage Systems
Our stationary ground storage systems are the backbone of alternative refueling infrastructure, designed for long-term reliability and high-volume demand.
Storage Banks for Refueling Stations
CP Industries provides both single vessels and finished multi-vessel assemblies, complete with valves and piping manifolds, for ground storage. These systems can be customized with high-flow manifolds, paint systems, and seismic bracing to meet specific site requirements.
Sizing Considerations and Pressure Ratings
We offer exceptional pressure capabilities to maximize fuel density and efficiency:
- CNG Storage: Vessels are available with pressure ratings up to 12,000 psi.
- Hydrogen Storage: For the most demanding hydrogen storage tank applications, we provide vessels rated up to 15,000 psi (1034 bar), which are designed to the advanced ASME Section VIII, Division 3 standards for pressures above 10,000 psi.
Reliability and Lifecycle Benefits
All our stationary vessels, including those for hydrogen gas storage, are built using ultrasonic shear wave testing for wall integrity and require no periodic retesting for CNG applications. We collaborate with end-users to design cascade banking assemblies with vessels of different pressures to maximize the efficiency of fuel dispensing.
Hydrogen vs. CNG: Choosing the Right Solution
CP Industries offers both CNG tanks and hydrogen storage solutions, allowing partners to select the best vessel technologies for their specific applications.
Pressure Levels (350 bar vs 700 bar)
CNG is typically stored at pressures around 3,600 psi (248 bar) for on-board vehicle systems. Hydrogen often requires higher pressures like 5,000 psi (350 bar) or 10,000 psi (700 bar) — and up to 15,000 psi (1034 bar) — for ground storage to achieve the necessary energy density. We custom-engineer vessels to meet these specific pressure demands.
Composite vs. Steel Cylinders
- Seamless Steel (Type I): The most durable and economical choice for large-volume stationary and transportation needs, especially for high-pressure hydrogen storage tank solutions.
- Composite (Type IV): Our all-carbon cylinders for CNG are significantly lighter than steel, making them the ideal on-board storage solution for vehicles like public transit buses (where weight savings increase efficiency). These feature a 3,600 psi rating and a seamless, non-metallic liner for corrosion resistance.
Why Choose CP Industries for Alternative Fuels?
With a long history of supplying high-pressure vessels since 1897, we bring proven reliability to the complex and rapidly growing clean energy sector.
We offer valuable technical assistance on installation, custom paint systems, and provide continuing support after your system is online, assuring successful and seamless integration into your new infrastructure.
Ready to move forward? Contact us today.
