Modelling of Liquid Hydrogen Transfer Operations Through Steady-state Simulations

This study investigates the transfer processes of liquid hydrogen (LH2), a versatile energy carrier widely used in sectors such as space exploration, aviation, land-based mobility, industrial processes, and maritime operations. Despite its potential, the low boiling point and density of LH2 present...

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Main Authors: Lucas M. Claussner, Pramoth Thumattin Sathiamoorthy, Federico Ustolin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AIDIC Servizi S.r.l. 2025-06-01
Series:Chemical Engineering Transactions
Online Access:https://www.cetjournal.it/index.php/cet/article/view/15216
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author Lucas M. Claussner
Pramoth Thumattin Sathiamoorthy
Federico Ustolin
author_facet Lucas M. Claussner
Pramoth Thumattin Sathiamoorthy
Federico Ustolin
author_sort Lucas M. Claussner
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the transfer processes of liquid hydrogen (LH2), a versatile energy carrier widely used in sectors such as space exploration, aviation, land-based mobility, industrial processes, and maritime operations. Despite its potential, the low boiling point and density of LH2 present significant challenges in handling, storage, and transportation, with limited current understanding of the thermodynamics involved in storing and filling cryogenic LH2 tanks. To address this, a static model for LH2 transfer via pipelines was developed using Aspen HYSYS, incorporating key variables such as mass flow rate, pressure, temperature, and pipeline roughness. The simulations explored a range of operating conditions, including mass flow rates (5 to 400 kg/h), inlet pressures (1.5, 6, and 10 bar), and inlet temperatures (19 K, 20 K, and saturation temperatures), as well as pipeline roughness (1.5 mm). The results demonstrate that pipeline roughness and flow rate are critical factors influencing pressure drop and vapor formation, while control valve positioning is essential for optimizing the filling process. This study offers valuable insights into improving the efficiency and safety of LH2 transfer systems, providing practical recommendations for industries reliant on cryogenic technologies. Additionally, optimizing the transfer process could mitigate hydrogen loss through boil-off gas (BOG) venting and reduce the risk of overpressure, preventing the activation of safety devices that could potentially lead to containment breaches. Future research should extend the model to account for inclined pipelines, flexible piping systems, and additional cryogenic components, further enhancing its industrial applicability.
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issn 2283-9216
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publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher AIDIC Servizi S.r.l.
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spelling doaj-art-7fbb5943c56a42ae8351bc74784b57012025-08-20T03:27:33ZengAIDIC Servizi S.r.l.Chemical Engineering Transactions2283-92162025-06-01116Modelling of Liquid Hydrogen Transfer Operations Through Steady-state SimulationsLucas M. ClaussnerPramoth Thumattin SathiamoorthyFederico UstolinThis study investigates the transfer processes of liquid hydrogen (LH2), a versatile energy carrier widely used in sectors such as space exploration, aviation, land-based mobility, industrial processes, and maritime operations. Despite its potential, the low boiling point and density of LH2 present significant challenges in handling, storage, and transportation, with limited current understanding of the thermodynamics involved in storing and filling cryogenic LH2 tanks. To address this, a static model for LH2 transfer via pipelines was developed using Aspen HYSYS, incorporating key variables such as mass flow rate, pressure, temperature, and pipeline roughness. The simulations explored a range of operating conditions, including mass flow rates (5 to 400 kg/h), inlet pressures (1.5, 6, and 10 bar), and inlet temperatures (19 K, 20 K, and saturation temperatures), as well as pipeline roughness (1.5 mm). The results demonstrate that pipeline roughness and flow rate are critical factors influencing pressure drop and vapor formation, while control valve positioning is essential for optimizing the filling process. This study offers valuable insights into improving the efficiency and safety of LH2 transfer systems, providing practical recommendations for industries reliant on cryogenic technologies. Additionally, optimizing the transfer process could mitigate hydrogen loss through boil-off gas (BOG) venting and reduce the risk of overpressure, preventing the activation of safety devices that could potentially lead to containment breaches. Future research should extend the model to account for inclined pipelines, flexible piping systems, and additional cryogenic components, further enhancing its industrial applicability.https://www.cetjournal.it/index.php/cet/article/view/15216
spellingShingle Lucas M. Claussner
Pramoth Thumattin Sathiamoorthy
Federico Ustolin
Modelling of Liquid Hydrogen Transfer Operations Through Steady-state Simulations
Chemical Engineering Transactions
title Modelling of Liquid Hydrogen Transfer Operations Through Steady-state Simulations
title_full Modelling of Liquid Hydrogen Transfer Operations Through Steady-state Simulations
title_fullStr Modelling of Liquid Hydrogen Transfer Operations Through Steady-state Simulations
title_full_unstemmed Modelling of Liquid Hydrogen Transfer Operations Through Steady-state Simulations
title_short Modelling of Liquid Hydrogen Transfer Operations Through Steady-state Simulations
title_sort modelling of liquid hydrogen transfer operations through steady state simulations
url https://www.cetjournal.it/index.php/cet/article/view/15216
work_keys_str_mv AT lucasmclaussner modellingofliquidhydrogentransferoperationsthroughsteadystatesimulations
AT pramoththumattinsathiamoorthy modellingofliquidhydrogentransferoperationsthroughsteadystatesimulations
AT federicoustolin modellingofliquidhydrogentransferoperationsthroughsteadystatesimulations