Operation scenario-based design methodology for large-scale storage systems of liquid hydrogen import terminal

Abstract

This paper presents an operation scenario-based design methodology to determine the design pressure of the storage system of liquid hydrogen (LH2) import terminals. The methodology includes operation scenario establishment, thermodynamic analysis, and structural analysis. In a case study conducted, the terminal has a storage capacity of 75,000 m3, imports cargo from a 50,000 m3 LH2 tanker, and supplies hydrogen in vapor and liquid forms without any loss of boil-off hydrogen (BOH) as a reference case. In the deviation from the reference case, 4.7% of the entire imported LH2 needs proper treatment as BOH under the application of a non-pressurized storage system. In addition, the vapor pressure of the imported LH2 is the most influential in determining the design pressure. From the obtained design pressure, the structural analysis is performed in compliance with the Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code of American Society of Mechanical Engineers.