Global change towards cleaner energy solution has seen liquid hydrogen as the most suitable solution for the future generation transport system. As a result of its high energy density and lack of carbon footprint, hydrogen is rapidly finding its place as a key enabler in fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen-powered aircraft.
However, how to store this fuel safely and efficiently is one of the most biggest concerns among technicians. Recent inventions in the cryogenic storage of liquid hydrogen have thus enabled today’s wide applicability in both terrestrial and airborne means of transport.
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Why Liquid Hydrogen?
By definition Liquid hydrogen is chosen rather than gaseous hydrogen because of its high energy density of liquid hydrogen by volume which is beneficial for use in cases where compactness is important. Hydrogen in the liquid state must be stored at -253°C, and this condition is cumbersome when it comes to designing a tank.
In conventional storage systems, weight, insulating capability, and low boil-off rates have been problematic, that rules out its use in greater scale transport applications. Nowadays, the problems are solved using modern materials and advanced engineering, which means that there is a perspective for hydrogen transport.
Applications in next-generation transport
The latest liquid hydrogen tank technologies are finding applications across various sectors:
- Automotive: Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), such as trucks and buses, benefit from compact, lightweight hydrogen tanks that allow for longer driving ranges and quick refueling. Companies like Toyota and Hyundai are investing heavily in developing advanced storage solutions for their future FCEV fleets.
- Aviation: Aircraft manufacturers, including Airbus and Boeing, are exploring liquid hydrogen tanks for zero-emission aircraft designs. The use of cryogenic storage systems in aviation requires innovative tank designs that can endure extreme pressure changes and maintain stability even at high altitudes.
- Space Exploration: Liquid hydrogen has been a staple in rocket fuel for decades, but new tank designs are enabling longer missions and higher payload capacities. Innovations in microgravity-compatible tanks are critical for future space exploration missions.
Establishing positive changes, eradicating defying changes
Although, some development has been done, below are the challenges which have been observed as follows; Cost effectiveness and reproducibility cannot be overemphasized as the development of cost efficient high performance composite tanks remains viable input for the mass of the population. Also, safe storage pressure and material to carry out next generation transport require further enhancement.
The prospects for improvement in liquid hydrogen tanks rely upon material science innovations and intelligent design approaches. As car makers, aerospace engineers and energy producers start combining their efforts and innovation in supplying liquid hydrogen to the mass market transports, improved, lighter and safer tanks will emerge hence increasing adaptability of liquid hydrogen in the general clean transportation vehicles.
New advancements in liquid hydrogen tankage make sustainable transports conceivable, subsequently eradicating the hitherto triumphs of cryogenic storage problems. These are allowing a new generation of ZEV and aircraft to be developed where hydrogen has a critical role in providing clean mobility solutions. With the evolution within the industry including advances in pressure vessel tank and material science, hydrogen in its liquid form is set to be a significant player for the next generation of clean mobility solutions.
