As the demand for green hydrogen grows in the UK and Europe, liquefaction is becoming a key method for long-distance transportation and large-scale applications.
With a significantly higher energy density than gaseous hydrogen, liquefied hydrogen (LH₂) is particularly suited for industries such as shipping and aviation. However, the process of liquefaction is highly energy-intensive and involves stringent regulatory challenges, adding to its overall cost and complexity.
Benefits of Hydrogen Liquefaction
Liquefying hydrogen increases its volumetric energy density, making it more viable for transport over long distances compared to gaseous hydrogen. This is particularly beneficial for sectors where alternative energy storage solutions are impractical, such as aviation and maritime shipping. Key advantages include:
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Higher Energy Density:
Liquid hydrogen occupies significantly less volume than its gaseous counterpart, reducing storage and transport constraints.
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Improved Transportation Efficiency:
It allows for bulk transportation and integration into existing logistics networks for fuel supply chains.
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Application in Hard-to-Decarbonise Sectors:
LH₂ is a promising fuel for industries that require high energy density and minimal emissions.
Technological Providers of Hydrogen Liquefaction
Several companies specialise in supplying hydrogen liquefaction technology, contributing to the advancement of the hydrogen economy:
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Air Liquide Engineering & Construction:
With over 60 years of experience, Air Liquide offers hydrogen liquefiers at varying scales, from small to large, with highly efficient technologies that have low maintenance costs and high reliability. They are involved in significant projects, such as supplying equipment for the largest hydrogen liquefaction plant in the world in South Korea, with a production capacity of 90 tons per day of liquid hydrogen.
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Linde:
As a technology and market leader, Linde has built most of the hydrogen liquefaction plants installed worldwide. They offer liquefiers ranging from small to large capacities, utilising advanced technologies like dynamic gas-bearing turbines for enhanced efficiency.
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Nikkiso Cosmodyne:
Leveraging over 60 years of cryogenic process plant experience, Nikkiso Cosmodyne has launched the BALSA Series Hydrogen Liquefiers, offering standardised capacities of 5, 15, or 30 metric tons per day. Their modular, skid-mounted systems are designed for economic shipping and installation.
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Joule Processing:
In collaboration with JTurbo Engineering and Technology, Joule Processing has introduced ultra-energy-efficient hydrogen liquefaction plants. Their systems are designed to liquefy hydrogen with minimal energy consumption, offering standardised capacities of 10, 15, and 30 metric tons per day.
Companies Producing and Transporting Liquid Hydrogen
Several companies are actively involved in the production and transportation of liquid hydrogen:
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Plug Power:
A leading provider of turnkey hydrogen solutions, Plug Power operates multiple green hydrogen plants in the U.S., producing a combined 45 tons of green hydrogen daily. They have secured a $1.66 billion loan guarantee from the Department of Energy to construct up to six additional green hydrogen manufacturing plants across the U.S., starting with a facility in Graham, Texas.
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Hoegh LNG:
This Norwegian shipping firm is developing a floating hydrogen import terminal in Lubmin, Germany, equipped with an ammonia cracker to produce hydrogen for inland distribution. They aim to provide green hydrogen at competitive prices by 2027, offering an economical import option by converting ammonia to hydrogen.
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Amogy:
A New York-based startup, Amogy has successfully demonstrated the use of ammonia as a fuel by retrofitting a tugboat to operate on cleanly made ammonia, highlighting the potential of renewable fuels in achieving zero-emissions propulsion for ships.
Storage and Transport Challenges
The transport of liquefied hydrogen is subject to strict safety and regulatory measures:
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Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) Limitations:
Road transport is limited by weight constraints, reducing payload efficiency.
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Route Restrictions:
LH₂ transportation is often prohibited through tunnels due to explosion risks, requiring longer alternative routes.
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Boil-off Gas (BOG) Management:
As LH₂ warms up, it naturally evaporates, necessitating mitigation measures such as venting or re-liquefaction.
While liquefied hydrogen presents a viable solution for large-scale applications, its high energy requirements, storage costs, and regulatory hurdles in the UK and Europe make widespread adoption challenging. Innovations in cryogenic technology and policy advancements will be crucial to making LH₂ a competitive and scalable energy carrier in the future.
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