A new type of hydrogen-absorbing alloy tank has been developed. The high-pressure metal hydride (MH) tank has been designed based on a 35 MPa cylinder vessel. The heat exchanger module is integrated into the tank. Its advantage over high-pressure cylinder vessels is its large hydrogen storage capacity, for example 7.3 kg with a tank volume of 180 L. Cruising range is about 2.5 times longer than that of a 35 MPa cylinder vessel system with the same volume.
The hydrogen-charging rate of this system is equal to the 35 MPa cylinders without any external cooling facility. Furthermore, release of hydrogen at 243 K is enabled due to the use of a hydrogen-absorbing alloy with a high disassociation pressure, Ti-Cr-Mn alloy with AB2 laves phase. It is thought that the high-pressure MH system is one realistic option for fuel cell vehicles to achieve a cruising range of over 700 km.