Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-05-21 Origin: Site
This is a question many customers are asking. You already have CNG tube trailers in operation and want to move into the hydrogen space. Can you simply modify and reuse them?
The short answer: Some can, but it's not as simple as just swapping the gas.
1. First, check what type of cylinder your trailer uses
This is the deciding factor:
Cylinder Type | Typical Material | Can it be converted to hydrogen? | Key Condition |
Type I (All-steel seamless) | 4130X chromium-molybdenum steel | ✅ Usually yes | Must have passed hydrogen environment compatibility tests at manufacture, including slow strain rate tensile, fatigue life, and fracture toughness tests |
Type II (Steel liner + hoop wrap) | Steel liner + glass/carbon fiber | ⚠️ Requires case-by-case evaluation | Hydrogen embrittlement resistance of the liner material and wrap layer must be verified |
Type III/IV (Fully composite) | Aluminum/plastic liner + full carbon fiber wrap | ❌ Generally not possible | Hydrogen permeability and pressure ratings differ; existing CNG composite cylinder designs cannot directly meet hydrogen storage and transport requirements |
The most reliable approach is to send us the cylinder material, design pressure, manufacturing year, and certification number of your existing tube trailer. We'll do a document review and compatibility assessment. If it doesn't pass, no problem — we can directly custom-build a hydrogen tube trailer or cylinder bundle for you.
2. Instead of retrofitting, why not go straight to a dual-service unit?
More and more customers are now choosing CNG/H₂ dual-service tube trailers directly. These products are designed from the start to cover both CNG (20–30MPa) and hydrogen (25–30MPa and above). The benefits are practical:
· One piece of equipment does two jobs — switch media and it's ready to go, lowering asset idling risk
· Comes with dual-media certification from the factory, saving you the hassle of applying for modifications later
· Holds better resale value — dual-certified equipment is significantly more recognized on the second-hand market
3. Whether retrofitting or buying new, three bottom lines cannot be compromised
3.1 Hydrogen embrittlement control — materials come first
Every component that contacts hydrogen — cylinders, valves, seals, piping — must pass a hydrogen environment compatibility evaluation. Recommended materials are 4130X chromium-molybdenum steel or S31603 stainless steel (nickel content ≥12%, nickel equivalent ≥28.5%). Before leaving our factory, we conduct slow strain rate tensile and fatigue life tests one by one in accordance with the GB/T 34542 series standards to ensure hydrogen embrittlement resistance is up to standard.
3.2 Certification system — your target market determines what certifications you need
Entry requirements vary by market. Aligning them early saves you detours:
· EU: Applicable to PED/TPED; cylinders need a supplementary hydrogen environment test report per ISO 11120
· USA: DOT's approval paths for CNG and hydrogen cylinders differ; allowable stress must be recalculated
· China: Must meet NB/T 10354 "Tube Trailer" and relevant hydrogen refueling station standards
3.3 Cleanliness — hydrogen purity is critical
Fuel cell-grade hydrogen has extremely high purity requirements. Residual oil, water, and particulates can poison the membrane electrode. So any tube trailer being converted to hydrogen must undergo professional clean processing:
· Oil content ≤120 mg/m²
· Water content ＜1ppm
· Helium leak test (leak rate ≤10⁻⁷ Pa·m³/s)
4. Customization range at a glance
Customization Dimension | Available Options |
Application Medium | CNG / Hydrogen / Dual-service (CNG + H₂) |
Product Type | Hydrogen tube skid / H₂ tube trailer / CNG hydrogen dual-use skid / Compressed hydrogen storage container |
Working Pressure | 20MPa / 25MPa / 30MPa |
Cylinder Material | 4130X steel / Glass fiber wound / Carbon fiber wound |
Number of Cylinders | 8–16 tubes (configured as needed) |
Certification Standards | ISO 11120 / ASME / CE (PED+TPED) / DOT 3AAX/3T / EAC / TC / KGS |
Connection Standards | ANSI / GB / JIS / Customer-specified |
We are an enterprise integrating R&D, design, production, sales, and system integration, with our core business covering the entire chain of high-pressure gas storage and transport equipment.
· Technology track record — We hold core technologies in large-volume steel-lined wound gas cylinders and liquid-driven compression. We have delivered nearly 3,000 hydrogen tube trailers and cylinder bundles. Our products have served the Shanghai World Expo, the Shenzhen Universiade, and the hydrogen storage and transport support for the main torch of the Beijing Winter Olympics.
· Certification system — We hold ASME (U/U2/T/U3), DOT 3AAX/3T, CE (PED+TPED), EAC, TC, KGS, PESO, and other international certifications, meeting access requirements for major global markets.
· Customer network — Products are exported to more than 50 countries and regions. Our customers include international gas companies such as AIR LIQUIDE, Messer, Linde, and BOC.
· Service capabilities — We provide full lifecycle service from project consultation, technical selection, and customized production, to installation, commissioning, and lifelong maintenance, with after-sales service stations in nearly 20 cities across China.
In short, whether you want to reuse your existing CNG tube trailer or configure a new dedicated hydrogen tube trailer, you can contact us. Send us your chassis parameters, media type, and target market, and our technical team will complete the evaluation and deliver a solution.
