Fisrt of a kind Cryogenic Tank to Store 50 tons of Liquid Hydrogen on a ship and use the bog to drive the the vessel enabling Net Zero marine application
In a significant breakthrough for maritime decarbonization, H2terminals has developed the world’s first large-scale composite tank capable of storing 50 tons of liquid hydrogen aboard ships. This revolutionary storage system not only provides a safe method to transport the clean fuel but also utilizes boil-off gas to power the vessel itself, creating a truly net-zero marine application. Revolutionary Multi-Layer Design The innovative 700 m³ liquid hydrogen tank employs a novel non-metallic, multi-layer construction approach that represents a fundamental departure from traditional metallic storage solutions. The tank’s architecture consists of four distinct functional layers: This innovative layered design offers several significant advantages over conventional metallic tanks, including reduced overall weight, enhanced thermal performance, better resistance to temperature-related stress, and superior corrosion resistance properties. Built for Extreme Conditions The design follows Lloyd’s Register’s guidance for liquid hydrogen systems while incorporating cutting-edge materials science developments. Operating at extremely low temperatures (cryogenic conditions), the tank maintains structural integrity and safety performance even under the most demanding circumstances. Material testing reveals impressive specifications. The lunar fiber composite material used in the tank construction demonstrates a specific gravity of 1.45, tensile strength of 1000 MPa, and tensile modulus of 52 GPa – significantly outperforming traditional materials like steel, aluminum, wood, and concrete in key metrics. Designed for Hostile Environments The storage system has undergone rigorous testing for deployment in hostile atmospheres, including conditions that simulate extreme temperature variations. This extensive testing ensures the tank can withstand the challenges of maritime operations while safely containing liquid hydrogen at cryogenic temperatures. Regulatory Compliance The tank design adheres to numerous international standards and regulations, including: Leadership in Innovation Behind this technological breakthrough is a team of scientific officers with exceptional credentials. Shuo Chen, an entrepreneur and inventor with over 20 years of experience in carbon-zero projects and composite material design, previously broke the world record for gaseous hydrogen storage density and capacity in 2023 with his spherical hydrogen container design. The team also includes Feng Jianrong, a renowned material scientist recognized as one of the Leading Scientists of the World multiple times for his contributions to chemical material development and polymer applications. Implications for Maritime Decarbonization This technology represents a crucial step toward decarbonizing the shipping industry, which has been one of the most challenging sectors to transition away from fossil fuels. By enabling vessels to carry significant quantities of liquid hydrogen safely and use the inevitable boil-off gas as fuel, H2terminals has created a closed-loop system that maximizes efficiency while eliminating carbon emissions. The development of this first-of-a-kind cryogenic tank opens new possibilities for hydrogen-powered shipping routes and could accelerate the industry’s transition toward carbon neutrality, aligning with global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport. As regulatory pressures increase and shipping companies seek sustainable alternatives to conventional fuels, H2terminals’ innovation provides a viable pathway to net-zero operations that combines advanced materials science with practical engineering solutions for real-world application.
