Energy efficient large-scale storage of liquid hydrogen

Abstract

Abstract The world’s largest liquid hydrogen storage tanks were constructed in the mid-1960s at the NASA Kennedy Space Center. These two vacuum-jacketed, perlite powder insulated tanks, still in service today, have 3,200 m 3 of useable capacity. In 2018, construction began on an additional storage tank at Launch Complex 39B. This new tank will give an additional storage capacity of 4,700 m 3 for a total on-site storage capacity of roughly 8,000 m 3 . NASA’s new Space Launch System (SLS) heavy lift rocket for the Artemis program includes an LH 2 tank that makes up the bulk of the vehicle, holding 2,033 m 3 of LH 2 in its 8.4-m diameter by 40-m height. The new storage tank includes two new energy-efficient technologies: a glass bubbles insulation system in lieu of perlite, and an Integrated Refrigeration and Storage (IRAS) heat exchanger for controlled storage capability. The evacuated glass bubbles insulation system is based on the prior two decades of research to prove the thermal performance benefits as well as the mechanical and vacuum integrity; and has been shown to reduce LH 2 boiloff by 46% versus perlite in field demonstrations. The IRAS capability is centered on a heat exchanger system that is built within the inner vessel to reject heat from the bulk liquid through the future implementation of an external helium refrigerator. Controlled storage via IRAS, when fully implemented, will provide full control of the ullage pressure, zero boiloff, and even production of densified LH 2 pending its adoption on future launch vehicles. The design basics are described along with main construction and testing processes involved. The key features of the new technology items and implications on simplified operations and long-term energy savings are addressed.