The major specialty steel producer The Japan Steel Works has begun delivery of the 300 liter type steel accumulators for use at commercial hydrogen stations for fuel cell vehicles (FCV). The company has not revealed the names of the hydrogen stations to which it is delivering these accumulators. Of the 18 stations targeted for the national subsidiary for the construction of hydrogen stations for 2013, it appears that delivery of such accumulators to some hydrogen stations has been decided upon. Called the straight type, the accumulators delivered have covers on both ends of the steel pipes. If a breakdown occurs during operation, it is possible to inspect inside scuff from outside by ultrasonic flaw detection (UT). In addition, the covers can be opened and the inside can be inspected. Reliable maintenance can also be conducted in a short period of time, which is one of characteristics of this type of accumulator.

Last year at its works in Muroran the company established a new steel accumulator production line with a capacity of 50 units a year. It began mass production, including the amount expected to be produced from last December. As of now, mainly 2 or 3 units are ordered for each station.

Looking toward the fuel cell buses (FC bus) for the Tokyo Olympics to be held in 2020, for the hydrogen stations for these FC busses which will require large amounts of hydrogen, “We’ll be carrying out a PR program for the high capacity 700 liter steel accumulators,” noted Ichiro Kunai, manager of the New Materials Group of the Material Marketing Department of the Steel Business Division of the company,.