KR grants AiP for liquid hydrogen tank vacuum insulation systemKR grants AiP for liquid hydrogen tank vacuum insulation system

KR (Korean Register) has granted HD KSOE a world first approval in principle (AiP) for its independently developed vacuum-insulated large-scale liquid hydrogen tank system.

The system addresses a major challenge in current technology, cutting the time needed to create a vacuum in large tanks from several months to a few days, said KR. The AiP reflects the compilation of validation tests and trials of the design to demonstrate its feasibility.

Hydrogen is one of the contenders for a future zero-emissions fuel for shipping. Most hydrogen is currently produced from fossil fuel sources, but the element can be produced from water using electrolysis. Powering electrolysers with renewable energy would produce green hydrogen at close to zero GHG emissions.

Transportation and storage poses a challenge to shipping. Liquid hydrogen needs to be stored at below –253°C, considerably colder than LNG. This ultra-low temperature requires materials capable of maintaining its strength as well as preventing hydrogen embrittlement.

Vacuum-insulated tanks help to maintain the temperatures needed to prevent liquid hydrogen from boiling. More effective insulation lowers storage and transportation costs by limiting losses and cooling requirements.

Validation tests for the HD KSOE system were carried out in 2024 in collaboration with Woodside Energy, Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), and Hyundai Glovis, said KR. The tests were the world’s first successful demonstration of the feasibility of scaling up liquid hydrogen tanks, while dramatically reducing vacuum processing time.

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Kim Daeheon, Executive vice president of KR's R&D Division, commented: "This AiP reflects HD KSOE's technological excellence and highlights the promising potential of the hydrogen industry. KR remains committed to supporting the safety and technological progress of this vital sector."

Yoo Byeongyong, vice president at HD KSOE, said: "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."

Jason Crusan, VP Energy Solutions at Woodside Energy, highlighted the significance of this achievement: "This is a key achievement which builds confidence that liquid hydrogen ships can be efficiently designed and constructed in a shipyard environment."

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Jotaro Tamura, senior managing 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 commercialisation."