APPLICATIONS

CNG tanks manufactured

using glass fibre
GREENES GROUP of the
Netherlands is retrofitting
vehicles with compressed
natural gas (CNG) tanks
manufactured using HiPer-tex
high performance glass fibre
from 3B.
Greenes retrofits petrol fuelled
cars and commercial vehicles
with CNG tanks.
The CNG tanks manufactured
with glass fibre composite
weigh less than tanks made
from steel.
A typical 32 litre capacity CNG
cylinder manufactured from
HiPer-tex glass fibre is 57%
lighter than an equivalent steel
cylinder and switching to this
solution provides our
customers several important
practical advantages and in
addition has a very positive
impact on the environment,
reports Marc Dirkse, CEO of the
Greenes Group.
Commercial vans can be fitted
with up to 10 glass fibre
cylinders of which 8 are
installed under the vehicle. Up
to 4 cylinders can be installed
in most cars.
HiPer-tex fibre can withstand
immense impacts, has
extremely long-term durability
and considerably greater
resistance to fatigue than steel,
claims Eric Debondue, Business
Development Leader at glass
reinforcements producer 3B,
Belgium.
Combined with the high
corrosion resistance of
HiPer-tex fibre these unique
properties enabled the tanks
(manufactured by GASTANK
Sweden AB) to meet the very
stringent ECE R110 regulation
governing the use of Type IV
pressure cylinders storing
compressed natural gas for
motor vehicles, he adds.
Greenes Group;
www.greenes.nl
GASTANK Sweden AB;
www.gastank.se
3B;
www.3b-fibreglass.com

Installation of CNG cylinders made using HiPer-tex glass fibre on a commercial van.
(Picture courtesy of Greenes.)

www.reinforcedplastics.com MAY/JUNE 2011 REINFORCEDplastics