Speaker
Description
Liquid hydrogen (LH2), known for its exceptionally high energy density and suitability for long-distance transport, is expected to play a pivotal role in the future of hydrogen energy storage and distribution. Central to this transition are port-based liquid hydrogen receiving terminals, which facilitate the seamless loading and unloading of transport vessels. These terminals integrate large-scale storage tanks for long-term LH2 storage, auxiliary systems for transfer and vaporization, and interfaces for tank trucks, hydrogen pipelines, and tube trailers. However, the complexity of managing pipelines, pumps, heat exchangers, and valves presents significant operational challenges. This study addresses these challenges by analyzing the dynamic performance of liquid hydrogen receiving terminals, with a focus on pre-cooling processes in unloading pipelines—a critical step in advancing maritime LH2 transportation technology.
The research develops a conceptual design for the functional zones of an LH2 terminal and creates a system-level model to simulate its operations. A staged pre-cooling scheme is proposed, emphasizing optimized valve coordination, pressure equalization, and flow control strategies tailored to LH2 properties. Quantitative analyses reveal that factors such as transfer mass flow rate, transfer pressure, and liquid subcooling significantly affect pre-cooling efficiency, while frequency-domain modal analysis highlights pipeline pressure drops and storage tank pressure variations as key operational parameters. In a 12-inch, 300-meter-long unloading pipeline, the optimized system improves the utilization efficiency of LH2 cooling energy by 10.56% and reduces LH2 consumption by approximately 67.3%.
These findings provide strategies for mitigating pressure fluctuations and enhancing terminal reliability. This research offers valuable insights for improving the design and operational efficiency of future LH2 receiving terminals, contributing to the broader adoption of hydrogen energy systems.
Key Words: Liquid hydrogen receiving terminal, System Modeling, Transfer process, Dynamic characteristics, Pipeline precooling.
