I could probably dig up an explanation on Wikipedia or elsewhere on the interweb, but I'd rather ask here. The safety fuel cells that are used instead of ordinary gas tanks in some racing classes, how are they constructed? How do they work? What makes them safer? How long do they last, and how much do they hold relative to a fuel tank, for any given exterior volume?

_________________
一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Dan,

Real fuel cells are built a lot like aircraft fuel tanks. There is a tough bladder inside the steel or aluminum container. You can wad up the container pretty badly before the bladder is damaged and leaks fuel. Fuel Safe and ATL are the two largest fuel cell makers that I'm aware of.

Plastic and metal fuel tanks that do not have a bladder inside are not real fuel cells.

The bladder takes up very little room inside the container and the foam that's usually used with gasoline fuel cells displaces very little volume so the container size gives you a very good indication of the fuel capacity. In addition to the puncture resistant bladder most fuel cells have a flapper under the cap or check valve on the fill plate to slow the loss of fuel if the filler is ripped from the cell and there is typically a check valve in the vent line.

Fuel Safe makes two different types of bladders. I think the better grade is recommended to be replaced after 10 years.

_________________
Joshua