Research on matching supply of power and cold energy of liquid hydrogen cold chain logistics vehicles

Abstract

Liquid hydrogen cold-chain logistics vehicle (LHCCLV) is a special vehicle using liquid hydrogen (LH2) as the source of both power and cold energy. A significant weakness of LH2 is its high energy consumption during the hydrogen liquefaction process, thus the utilization of cold energy in LHCCLV can improve the economic performance and competitiveness of LH2. Because of the high energy storage density of LH2 and the relatively high efficiency of fuel cells, we find that cold energy can not meet the demand of LHCCLV. Therefore, we consider enlarging the cold energy by efforts including the para-ortho hydrogen conversion (POC), whose reverse reaction consumes an energy level exceeding 20% during the hydrogen liquefaction process. In this paper, numerical models of discharging hydrogen from the LH2 and subcooling hydrogen tank are established, and the influence of POC and other efforts on the supply of cold energy is analyzed. The changes in instantaneous and total cold energy supply under different working conditions are analyzed, and the important influence of POC and other efforts is confirmed. The beneficial effect of POC is quantified in the paper, especially for the cold energy supply. This paper provides an essential reference for the research and development of LHCCLV. Also, it guides the comprehensive utilization of cold energy in other situations to promote the improvement of the economy of hydrogen energy utilization routes in the form of LH2.