High-pressure gaseous hydrogen permeation test method -property of polymeric materials for high-pressure hydrogen devices (1)-

Polymeric materials are widely used in hydrogen energy system such as FCEV and hydrogen refueling stations under high-pressure condition. The permeation property (coefficients of permeation, diffusion and solubility) of polymers under high-pressure hydrogen condition should be discussed as parameters to develop those devices. Also the property should be determined to understand influence of the compression by the pressure on polymer materials. A device which can measure gas permeation property of polymer materials accurately in equilibrium state under high-pressure environment is developed, and the reliability of the measurements is ensured. High-pressure hydrogen gas permeability characteristics up to 100 MPa are measured for high-density polyethylene. An advantage of the method is discussed comparing with the non-equilibrium state method, focusing on the hydrostatic pressure effect. Deterioration of hydrogen permeability is observed along with the decrease of diffusion coefficient, which is supposedly affected by hydrostatic compression effect with the increase of environment pressure.