DNV Grants AiP to KSOE for Vacuum-Insulated LH2 Tank

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  • DNV granted AiP to HD KSOE for a pioneering vacuum-insulated liquefied hydrogen tank.
  • The innovation reduces vacuum creation time, enabling larger and safer LH2 storage.
  • Industry leaders validated this milestone, advancing hydrogen commercialization and the energy transition.

HD KSOE’s latest accomplishment in large-scale liquid hydrogen storage demonstrates its commitment to addressing the critical challenges in the hydrogen energy sector. With DNV awarding an Approval in Principle (AiP) for their newly developed vacuum-insulated tank, this innovation represents a leap forward in enabling efficient and practical storage solutions for LH2, crucial for decarbonizing industries like transportation, shipping, and power generation.

Maintaining vacuum insulation in large tanks has long been a hurdle. HD KSOE’s novel approach significantly reduces the time required to create a vacuum, making large-scale tanks more feasible. This breakthrough positions HD KSOE as the first shipbuilder globally to validate the viability of this method.

A Collaborative Effort Driving Progress

The validation of the vacuum-insulated tank design was witnessed by representatives from Woodside Energy, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), Hyundai Glovis, and DNV. Jason Crusan, VP Energy Solutions at Woodside Energy said, “This is a key achievement which builds confidence that liquid hydrogen ships can be efficiently designed and constructed in a shipyard environment.”

Jotaro Tamura,  Senior Management Executive Officer at MOL said, “This verification test was a major milestone in the study of transporting liquefied hydrogen, where one of the major issues was the need to increase the size of the tank, and is an important step towards commercialization.”

Toward a Hydrogen-Powered Future

Chi O, Kwon, Vice President of Hyundai Glovis stated, “Achieving this remarkable milestone as the world’s first to successfully verify tank scale-up, HD KSOE has demonstrated the dedication and innovation of the research. We hope this achievement serves as a strong foundation for future advancements in the field.”

Dr. Byeongyong Yoo, Vice President at HD KSOE, commented, “HD KSOE has been dedicated to providing technological solutions for large-scale energy shipping such as LNG, LPG, Ammonia, CO2, and now hydrogen. This hydrogen vacuum system solution and large-scale validation test are part of these efforts. We will continue collaborating with leading global companies to drive the energy transition and achieve net-zero goals.”

Pathway to Commercialization

HD KSOE is collaborating with Woodside Energy to develop 80,000-cubic-meter liquefied hydrogen carriers, incorporating the large hydrogen tanks into an integrated maritime transportation value chain. This partnership exemplifies the collective effort required to advance the adoption of hydrogen as a key component of the global energy transition.

This breakthrough signifies a transformative step in the hydrogen sector, providing the foundation for safer, more efficient transport of liquefied hydrogen and accelerating progress toward a cleaner energy future.

 

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Source: DNV