K -- INSTALLATION OF EIGHT (8) HIGH PRESSURE H2 STORAGE TANKS ON H2 ELECTRIC HYBRID BUS

Notice Date

May 16, 2001

Contracting Office

Bechtel Nevada, Mail Stop NLV 018, Post Office Box 98521, Las Vegas, NV 89193-8521

ZIP Code

89193-8521

Solicitation Number

N/A

Point of Contact

Lee Watson, 702-295-2032

E-Mail Address

Click here to contact the Engineer via e-mail (watsonle@nv.doe.gov)

Description

1. Bechtel Nevada (BN), a Contractor to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) -- National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), wished to obtain the services of a company for the design, fabrication and installation of a support module to facilitate installation of high pressure hydrogen fuel tanks on the roof of passenger bus. This project is part of the NNSA program to demonstrate the feasibility of the use of compressed hydrogen gas (CHG) as an automotive fuel. 2. The passenger bus is a type Q, 33 feet, 27 passenger manufactured by Blue Bird Corporation. All interest companies will be invited to the site to inspect the bus. In addition, any company requiring structual design drawings for mounting the fuel tanks must acquire them from Blue Bird Corporation. The fuel tanks to be installed are 5000 psig compressed hydrogen gas containers manufactured by IMPCO of Irvine, California. 3. The tanks are eleven (11) inches in diameter, eighty-three (83) inches long and weigh approximately 80 pounds each. A total of eight tanks are to be installed on the bus in two groups of four each. The tanks cannot be attached directly to the bus roof, but must be placed in a support module that protects the cylinders from acceleration loads and allows for tank expansion when filled. The tanks shall be arranged in the support structure two wide and two high. The modules shall be placed on the bus roof with the long axis parallel to the bus centerline on either side of an existing air conditioner. The structural support system will be covered with a louvered fairing painted to match the bus. 4. The four-tank group will be connected to a single high-pressure manifold that runs in a crash-armored channel accross the aft end of the group. The piping between the tanks and the high-pressure manifold will be supplied by IMPCO. However, the vendor selected for this installation will be responsible for connecting the low-pressure (150 psig) side of the manifold to the bus fuel system. 5. National and International codes applicable to this application are still being developed; however, applicable section of the following codes shall apply: 1) NFPA 50A Standard for gaseous hydrogen systems 1994 edition; 2) NFPA 70 National Electrical Code; 3) DOT Regulations, 49 CFR pargaraphs 173, 178, and 192; 4) ISO/WI 15869 Gaseous hydrogen-land vehicle tanks; 5) SAE??? Vehicle chasis/body structural analysis. 6. If interested, please respond by: May 31, 2001.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010518/KSOL001.HTM (W-136 SN50M2L2)