CB&I and Shell Collaborate on Breakthrough Liquid Hydrogen Storage Tank in Huntsville
Key Ideas
- CB&I, Shell, GenH2, and the University of Houston have completed a novel liquid hydrogen storage tank concept in Huntsville, Alabama, enabling international import and export applications.
- The project, supported by the US Department of Energy, developed a non-vacuum tank design anticipated to provide cost advantages over conventional vacuum insulated tanks.
- The collaboration aims to increase LH2 storage capacity, test insulation materials, and advance commercial liquid hydrogen storage applications for global trade infrastructure.
- CB&I's longstanding partnership with NASA has led to the development of LH2 storage technology for over 60 years, contributing to key space missions such as Apollo and Gemini.
CB&I, Shell International Exploration and Production, GenH2, and the University of Houston have successfully completed an innovative liquid hydrogen (LH2) storage tank concept in Huntsville, Alabama, US, at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. This collaboration, supported by the US Department of Energy, aims to revolutionize large-scale LH2 storage by developing a non-vacuum tank design that offers significant cost advantages compared to traditional vacuum insulated tanks. The project involves the construction, start-up, and testing of a small-scale LH2 demonstration tank to characterize materials under cryogenic conditions and test non-vacuum insulation materials.
The partnership between the industry, academia, and government aims to advance technology and scale up solutions for a more competitive and affordable liquid hydrogen storage market, with potential applications in international import and export. The project also includes a Space Act Agreement allowing for testing and use of the tank over a five-year period, during which new insulation technologies will be assessed under non-vacuum conditions.
The completion of this demonstration tank not only increases the LH2 storage capacity but also provides essential data for unlocking the global potential of liquid hydrogen. The University of Houston emphasizes the pivotal advancement in storing liquid hydrogen at scale using a non-vacuum design, highlighting its role in creating a flexible and affordable global hydrogen trade infrastructure. CB&I's extensive experience in LH2 storage, dating back to the 1960s, when the company built the first LH2 sphere for NASA, underscores its commitment to advancing energy solutions and supporting space exploration missions.
Overall, the collaboration between CB&I, Shell, GenH2, the University of Houston, and NASA demonstrates a proactive approach to technological innovation in liquid hydrogen storage, paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient energy economy.
Topics
Projects
Innovation
Energy Transition
Research
Collaboration
Space Exploration
Technology Advancement
Cryogenic Technology
NASA
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