PartagerUn consortium américain présente un réservoir à hydrogène liquide d’un nouveau genre (en anglais)
Au centre de vol spatial Marshall, appartenant à la NASA, un consortium réunissant les entreprises CB and l, Shell et GenH2 ainsi que l’université de Houston a mis au point un nouveau concept de réservoir de stockage de l’hydrogène liquide, de grande capacité et économiquement abordable, qui pourra être utilisé dans les activités d’importation et d’exportation internationales.
Supported by the US Department of Energy (DOE), a project was launched in 2021 to develop a novel non-vacuum tank design concept for large-scale (up to 100,000 cubic metrers) storage of liquid hydrogen (LH2) that is anticipated to provide a substantial cost advantage over conventional vacuum insulated tanks.
Developed by global engineering firm CB&I and a consortium including Shell, GenH2, and the University of Houston, this concept is being demonstrated through the construction, startup and testing of a small-scale LH2 demonstration tank at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Centre (MSFC).
The first-of-its-kind 100,000 cubic metre tank will expand MSFC’s liquid hydrogen storage capacity. It will also support research on material behaviour in cryogenic conditions, simulating typical fill and empty cycles and testing insulation systems that don’t require a vacuum.
The concept is first undergoing a six-month evaluation using a small-scale demonstration tank to assess feasibility and potential improvements.
Hydrogen is gaining in popularity as an energy carrier, with a growing global demand. According to the consortium of academia, government agencies, and energy companies, the initiative has helped build testing capabilities for thermal insulation and is generating critical data for advancing global hydrogen use.
The project is being supported by the US Department of Energy with $6 millions. Shell and CB&I have each contributed an additional $3 millions.
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