Fuel Tank Vs Fuel Cell: What Sets Them Apart From One Another?

In an automobile, truck, or SUV, the fuel is filled in a fuel tank. This fuel can be any substance used to power an engine, including ethanol, diesel fuel, and gasoline. 

A  fuel tank comprises stamped steel or molded plastic and is situated underneath the back of the car, though the manufacturer may choose to place it wherever else on the car. 

Fuel tanks provide fuel to an engine through a fuel pump so that it can run. In general, fuel tanks are constructed specifically to fit a specific vehicle’s year, make, and model. There are several designs of fuel tanks that allow them to wrap or mold around other parts of the vehicle. This not only enables the addition of more fuel but also improves the weight distribution of the fuel inside the car.

A fuel tank of your vehicle has the following benefits:

A fuel tank holds a specific amount of fuel while preventing leaks and reducing evaporative emissions.

A fuel tank provides a secure, spark-free filling procedure for fuel to be filled in the tank.

A fuel tank is custom-fitted for your vehicle with the specific make, year, and model.

The fuel tank's construction is robust, and therefore, fuel tank malfunctions are uncommon. Despite this, drivers must cope with premature fuel tank replacement or maintenance. It is advised to get a replacement fuel tank if one of the following damages is discovered:

The aggressive actions of the fuel cause natural wear on the tank walls. This is usually the case with metal fuel tank containers.

A hole occurs in the wall of a fuel tank when you drive irresponsibly on a rough road. This is common while driving over rough terrain with a lot of sharp stones poking out of the ground.

Such damage is expected when the bottom of your car hits the ground. However, this can occur when the ventilation system fails (A vacuum develops in the fuel tank, yet the fuel pump continues to function).

The fuel tank's walls become thin in areas of deterioration. When the damaged area cannot cope with the vapor pressure or vacuum, a crack is formed and fuel begins to seep in. In some cases, corrosion damages the top of the product, which is not easy to diagnose. But in the event of such damage, there will be a constant smell of gasoline near the car.

This usually occurs as a result of a manufacturing defect, such as a poorly welded seam or improper anti-corrosion treatment.

Fuel seals are located where the fuel pump construction and level sensor reside. The fuel seal which is made up of rubber substances deteriorates over time. It is advised to replace the fuel rubber seal while maintaining the fuel pump as it is attached to it.

The benefits of having a fuel cell are:

Fuel cells have greater burst strength than that of a fuel tank. The burst strength is the measure of the strength of a material in pounds per square inch. As fuel cells are made of high-quality materials such as steel, aluminum, and high-strength plastic they have high burst strength.

Fuel cells are designed with a non-vented cap with a tip-over valve to prevent the spilling of the fuel on the road when the racing vehicle is rolling over.

Fuel is stored in both fuel tanks and fuel cells. That is the only similarity between them. There are several differences between a fuel tank and a fuel cell and those are: