Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, cilt.28, sa.6, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Graphical abstract (Figure presented.) Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency remain key challenges in transportation systems. In this context, lightweight composite fuel tanks offer advantages over conventional metallic alternatives through weight reduction and improved operational efficiency. These benefits are relevant for both established compressed natural gas storage and emerging applications such as hydrogen storage. However, their environmental impacts and safety performance require systematic evaluation. This study aims to identify the most suitable composite fuel tank design for practical applications by evaluating the environmental impacts and explosion resistance of nine carbon fiber-wrapped tank prototypes manufactured via filament winding. The prototypes differ in fiber content and compressive strength, and their environmental impacts were assessed through a cradle-to-gate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Marine aquatic ecotoxicity, abiotic depletion (fossil), and global warming potential are identified as the most relevant impact categories. Designs combining higher compressive strength with more efficient fiber utilization achieve the target pressure of 470 bar while maintaining relatively lower environmental impacts, with emissions in the range of approximately 330–335 kg CO₂ eq. Among the evaluated configurations, the design that best balances mechanical performance and material efficiency is identified as the most environmentally favorable. Contribution analysis indicates that approximately 62% of total emissions originate from carbon fiber production, followed by curing (~ 16%), primer production (~ 10%), resin system (~ 7%), and filament winding electricity (~ 4%). These findings highlight key stages for reducing the environmental footprint of composite fuel tank manufacturing.