Scribd
Upload
19 views1 page

V. Conclusions: Figure 4. Von-Mises Stress Contour Plot

This document summarizes the design and finite element analysis of an FRP (fiber reinforced polymer) LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinder. Three design concepts were generated and the best was selected using multi-criteria analysis. A CAD model and FEA simulation in Abaqus showed that a 1.5mm HDPE liner and 2mm composite wrapping could withstand up to 28MPa of burst pressure, well above the 30bar test pressure. The FRP cylinder is concluded to be superior to steel and aluminum cylinders in terms of weight, cost, safety, and environmental impact. Further studies on a test prototype are ongoing.

Uploaded by

Eric Sam
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
19 views1 page

V. Conclusions: Figure 4. Von-Mises Stress Contour Plot

This document summarizes the design and finite element analysis of an FRP (fiber reinforced polymer) LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinder. Three design concepts were generated and the best was selected using multi-criteria analysis. A CAD model and FEA simulation in Abaqus showed that a 1.5mm HDPE liner and 2mm composite wrapping could withstand up to 28MPa of burst pressure, well above the 30bar test pressure. The FRP cylinder is concluded to be superior to steel and aluminum cylinders in terms of weight, cost, safety, and environmental impact. Further studies on a test prototype are ongoing.

Uploaded by

Eric Sam
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

Design and Finite Element Analysis of FRP LPG Cylinder

σ23 less than 13 bars and the testing was done at 30 bars
Shear strength in the present study. Hence, a factor of safety in the
79.2 MPa range of 2.15-9.1 was established. When product
τ
failure could result in serious injury or loss of life,
ν12=ν21 0.28
exhaustive testing and higher safety factors have to be
employed.
The entire CAD modeling and FEA simulation
were carried out using the commercial FEA software V. CONCLUSIONS
Abaqus [6]. Composite laminate of thickness = 2mm
was modeled using 10 plies in the Composite Layup Three design concepts were generated and the best
module of Abaqus keeping the orientation alternately concept was finally selected using a multi-criteria
at 45°/-45° for each layer. The Engineering Constants comprising of functionality, ergonomics,
option was invoked for assignment of composite convenience, ease of manufacturing, cost etc.
material properties. Burst Pressure is the designated satisfying the customer and design needs. The FEA
pressure acting on the Inner Layer/Liner as per the results showed that the material being used; HDPE-
design standards (EN12245:2002) for testing the Liner of 1.5 mm thickness and the wrapping
prototypes of the composite LPG cylinder [4]. The composite layer of 2 mm thickness are suitable for
value assigned to the burst pressure = 3 MPa (30 bar) the product to behave safe. The results show that the
and is applied as a uniform pressure load. 3-d linear maximum burst pressure the chosen thicknesses could
hexahedral (brick) elements (total number 780) were sustain is about 28 MPa which is well above the
chosen for the FEA meshing. Attempts were also subjected pressures. With the introduction of
made to use the third party addon module of Filament composite cylinders, dust and rain water will become
Winding within Abaqus. The same where a smaller concern. The FRP LPG cylinder is believed
unsuccessful owing to version compatibility issues. to be superior to the existing steel and aluminium
Fig. 4 shows the Von-mises stress contour plot of cylinders in terms of weight, cost, ergonomics (semi-
the composite LPG cylinder after Static FEM transparent cylinder wall), safety, environmental
analysis. compatibility and user friendliness. Further, studies
on design analysis, optimization and fabrication of a
test prototype are in progress.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

M.S. acknowledges the financial assistance


provided by the University of Johannesburg Research
Committee for carrying out this research project.

REFERENCES

[1] www.afrox.com, Afrox Material Safety Data Sheet, 2001,


Liquified Petroleum Gas & Propanes, Last accessed 12th
August 2012.
[2] K. K. Chawla. Composite Materials (Science and
Engineering), 2nd edition, Wiley, 2004.
[3] J. I. Rotheiser, Design of Plastic Products, McGraw-Hill,
2002.
[4] Fully Wrapped Composite Cylinder-Design Standards-
Figure 4. Von-mises stress contour plot. EN:12245
[5] Hoop Wrapped Composite Cylinder-Design Standards-
EN:12257
The results show no signs of immediate failure.
[6] Abaqus Version 6.10 – User’s Manual .
The maximum operating LPG-cylinder pressure is



International Journal of Instrumentation, Control and Automation (IJICA) ISSN: 2231-1890, Vol-1 Iss-3,4, 2012
124

You might also like