LIQUIFIED HYDROGEN TRANSPORTATION IN CONTAINERS BY ROAD, RAIL OR SHIP
Hydrogen can be transported in its liquid form, which is called cryogenic liquid hydrogen (LH2). It must be stored and transported at extremely low temperatures, typically around -253°C. LH2 has a number of advantages as a transportation fuel. It has a high energy density, meaning that a relatively small amount of LH2 contains a large amount of energy. It is also a clean-burning fuel, producing only water when it is burned.
However, there are also a number of challenges associated with the transportation of LH2. It requires specialized and expensive storage and transportation infrastructure, as it must be kept at extremely low temperatures to remain a liquid. It is also a highly volatile fuel, which can pose safety risks if it is not handled properly. Despite these challenges, LH2 has the potential to be an important transportation fuel in the future, particularly for the movement of goods over long distances.
Hydrogen can be transported by road in liquid form in specialized cryogenic tanker trucks, which are designed to carry liquids that are extremely cold, such as liquid hydrogen. These tanker trucks are usually made of stainless steel and are insulated to help maintain the extremely low temperature of the liquid hydrogen. The tanks themselves are designed to withstand the high pressure that is generated by the expansion of the liquid hydrogen as it warms up.
To load the liquid hydrogen onto the tanker truck, it is transferred from a storage tank to the tanker truck using a transfer line. The transfer line is equipped with a series of valves and safety devices to prevent spills and accidents. The tanker truck also has its own safety systems, such as pressure relief valves, to prevent accidents during transportation.
Once the tanker truck is loaded with liquid hydrogen, it can be transported to its destination using the same roads and highways that other vehicles use. The driver of the tanker truck must be specially trained to handle the unique properties of liquid hydrogen and to follow all safety protocols. The tanker truck must also be driven carefully to avoid jostling the tank, which could cause the liquid hydrogen to boil and turn into gas, increasing the pressure inside the tank.
It is important to note that transportation of hydrogen in any form, including liquid hydrogen, comes with certain risks and requires strict safety measures to be in place to prevent accidents.
Transporting hydrogen by ship is a potential option for moving large quantities of hydrogen over long distances. However, there are several challenges that need to be addressed in order to make this a viable option. One challenge is the design of the cryogenic containers that can withstand the rough conditions of being shipped at sea. In addition, there are safety considerations to take into account when handling and storing cryogenic liquids, such as the risk of spills and leaks.
Despite these challenges, there are ongoing efforts to develop safe and cost-effective methods for transporting hydrogen by ship. For example, the European Union's HYFLEET:CUTE project demonstrated the feasibility of using a small-scale vessel to transport hydrogen from offshore production facilities to ports for distribution. In the future, it is possible that hydrogen could be shipped in larger quantities using dedicated vessels that are specifically designed for the transport of cryogenic liquids.