Hydrogen.gov | E. Cryogenic Storage

E. Cryogenic Storage

1. Outer/Inner Tank
Goals: Low cost, Low evaporative losses, Reduced hydrogen gas permeation, Reduce boil-off

a) Materials

i. Polymer aerogel composites

ii. Nano composite elctro-spun fibers
Description: Lightweight

iii. Carbon fiber/epoxy over-wrap

iv.Clay nanocomposites
Description: Linerless tanks
Goal: Reduce hydrogen permeability

v. Fabrication methods

vi. Performance analysis

b) Structural design

i. Honeycomb structures
Goal: Increase life cycle limits

ii. Integral reinforcements
Description: Improves mechanical strength

iii. Vacuum jackets
Goal: Reduces polymer permeability

2. Balance-of-Plant Components
Goal: Reduce cost, Reduce weight, Enable complete and rapid refueling within material temperature constraints, Reduce boil-off

a) “Smart Tank” Sensors

i. Develop early warning sensors to predict potential failures in smart tanks.

b) Cryo-cooler technologies

i. Enable re-liquification of vapor boil-off.

ii. Create a cryogenic shield to reduce boil-off.

c) Leak detectors
Goals: Increase operating temperature, Reduce size, Reduce system complexity, Eliminate electrical system

i. MEMS-based

ii. Pd alloy resistors/diodes

iii. Nano-Pd resistors

iv. Silica carbide

v. Wireless

vi. Fiber optic sensors (Bragg cells)

d) Liquid level monitoring
Description: Dip tubes Goal: Improve accuracy

i. State equations analysis
Description: Develop equations of state for liquid hydrogen, including the effects of important contaminants, to improve the accuracy of dip-tube level monitoring.

3. System Analysis
Description: Includes testing, modeling, and theoretical analysis.

a) Characterize failure modes in composite tanks.

b) Evaluate key factors

i. Charge/discharge performance

ii. Durability

iii. Safety

4. Propellant Applications

a) Densified hydrogen

b) Gelled hydrogen

c) Solid hydrogen

d) Refrigeration technologies
Description: 15 K refrigeration systems to maintain stability of hydrogen propellant.
Goal: Efficiency

5. Demonstrations

a) Propellant applications
Description: Test various temperatures, environmental variables, weather, vibration, angles, G-loads.

i. Boil-off rate

ii. Fill/vent/dump fluid dynamics

iii. System performance

iv. System safety v. Reliability

vi. Durability

b) Cryogenic storage / compressed dispensing fueling station
Description: Support a test fleet of commercial fuel cell vehicles.
Goals: Evaluate operation in cold climate; Evaluate the feasibility of an installation at a federal facility.

i. Safety and security evaluation

ii. Failure modes evaluation and modeling

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