Efficient Production, Storage and Transportation of Liquid Hydrogen

A special issue of Cryo (ISSN 3042-4860).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 1589

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Institute of Refrigeration and Cryogenics, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Interests: thermophysical properties of cryogenic fluids and materials; efficient storage of cryogens; cryogenic insulation and heat transfer

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As the pursuit of clean and sustainable energy intensifies, hydrogen has emerged as a promising alternative with high energy density and minimal environmental impact. Liquid hydrogen stands out as a conventional medium for energy conveyance, which is recognized as an effective form of hydrogen storage. The term "conventional" signifies its extensive deployment in aerospace endeavors for more than six decades. Its unparalleled specific impulse benefit has secured liquid hydrogen as the preferred choice for launch vehicle propulsion since the 1960s, underpinning a multitude of aerospace missions that hinge on the adept handling and utilization of the substance. Through these endeavors, a wealth of technical expertise involving liquid hydrogen has been amassed, laying the groundwork for its civilian and commercial applications. Currently, hydrogen is garnering substantial interest in the energy sector, lauded for its clean nature and high energy density. There is an urgent demand and ongoing development of technologies encompassing hydrogen production, storage, transport, and usage. Within this domain, liquid hydrogen continues to hold a crucial position, particularly in the areas of storage and transfer. The escalating demand for liquid hydrogen in both aerospace and civilian energy sectors has spurred research in areas that address the challenges and opportunities in the full chain of liquid hydrogen. This Special Issue is dedicated to showcasing and sharing the latest progress in the entire liquid hydrogen spectrum. We invite authors to submit original research articles, review papers, and case studies that fall within the following topics:

  • Innovative methods for the production of liquid hydrogen;
  • Advanced techniques for the storage of liquid hydrogen;
  • Efficient transportation systems for liquid hydrogen;
  • Safety considerations and risk assessment in handling liquid hydrogen;
  • Applications of liquid hydrogen in various industries, such as transportation, energy storage, and power generation.

Areas of interest for publication include but are not limited to the keywords below.

Prof. Dr. Yonghua Huang
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • cryogenic insulation for liquid hydrogen
  • hydrogen phase equilibrium and transition
  • hydrogen thermophysical properties
  • cryogenic hydrogen vessels
  • liquid hydrogen transfer
  • materials for liquid hydrogen applications
  • para and ortho hydrogen conversion
  • hydrogen liquefaction
  • liquid hydrogen testing
  • flow dynamics of liquid hydrogen
  • cryogenic compressed gaseous hydrogen
  • liquid hydrogen devices
  • modeling of liquid hydrogen systems
  • liquid hydrogen safty issues
  • applications of liquid hydrogen

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 4786 KiB  
Article
Valve Disc Dynamics of a Reciprocating Liquid Hydrogen Pump
by Wei Wu, Shaoqi Yang, Hongyu Ren and Xiujuan Xie
Cryo 2025, 1(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryo1010004 - 2 Mar 2025
Viewed by 441
Abstract
Reciprocating liquid hydrogen pumps are essential equipment for hydrogen refueling stations with liquid hydrogen stored. The valves play a crucial role in facilitating unidirectional flow and the pressurization of liquid hydrogen within the pump. This paper establishes a comprehensive numerical model to simulate [...] Read more.
Reciprocating liquid hydrogen pumps are essential equipment for hydrogen refueling stations with liquid hydrogen stored. The valves play a crucial role in facilitating unidirectional flow and the pressurization of liquid hydrogen within the pump. This paper establishes a comprehensive numerical model to simulate the whole working cycle of a reciprocating liquid hydrogen pump. The influence of valve parameters and pump operating conditions on the motion characteristics of valves, including lift, closing lag angle, and impact velocity, is investigated. The results indicate that with the maximum lift of the suction valve at 10 mm and the discharge valve at 5 mm, the closing lag angle is minimal, and the impact velocity of the valve falls within an acceptable range. The optimal rotation speed range is between 200 and 300 rpm, within which both the closing lag angle and impact velocity of valves are minimized. Excessive maximum lift and low rotational speed lead to significant oscillations and high impact velocity in valve movement with the effects being more pronounced in the suction valve. The effects of the subcooling degree of inflow liquid hydrogen on the valve motion are further analyzed. The findings suggest that the subcooling degree of inflow liquid hydrogen helps inhibit the vaporization in the pump operation and ensures the valves work correctly. This work would contribute to pump optimization and valve collision failure analysis in reciprocating liquid hydrogen pumps. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficient Production, Storage and Transportation of Liquid Hydrogen)
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11 pages, 4227 KiB  
Article
Numerical Study of Perforated Plate Balanced Flowmeter Performance for Liquid Hydrogen
by Feng Zhao, Jingcheng Song, Shiyao Peng and Xiaobin Zhang
Cryo 2025, 1(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryo1010003 - 16 Feb 2025
Viewed by 311
Abstract
A balanced flowmeter not only inherits the advantages of orifice plate flowmeters but also stabilizes the flow field, reduces permanent pressure loss, and effectively increases the cavitation threshold. To perform an in-depth analysis of flow characteristics through the perforated plate and achieve performance [...] Read more.
A balanced flowmeter not only inherits the advantages of orifice plate flowmeters but also stabilizes the flow field, reduces permanent pressure loss, and effectively increases the cavitation threshold. To perform an in-depth analysis of flow characteristics through the perforated plate and achieve performance optimization for the liquid hydrogen (LH2) measurement, a numerical calculation framework is established based on the mixture model, realizable turbulence closure, and Schnerr–Sauer cavitation model. The model is first evaluated through comparison with the liquid nitrogen (LN2) experimental results of a self-developed balanced flowmeter as well as the measuring setup. The flow coefficient and pressure loss coefficient are especially considered, and a comparison is made with the orifice plane considering cavitation and non-cavitation conditions. The cavitation cloud and temperature contours are also presented to illustrate the difference in the upper limit of the Re between water, LN2, and LH2 flow. The results show that compared to LN2 and water, LH2 has a larger cavitation threshold, indicating a wider range of Re number measurements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficient Production, Storage and Transportation of Liquid Hydrogen)
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Review

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20 pages, 3632 KiB  
Review
Liquid Hydrogen Application for Aero-Engine More-Electrical System: Current Status, Challenges and Future Prospects
by Zhaoyang Zheng, Jiaqi Ma, Jiaxin Hou, Ziqiao Gong, Junlong Xie and Jianye Chen
Cryo 2025, 1(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryo1010005 - 21 Mar 2025
Viewed by 294
Abstract
The integration of more-electric technologies into aero-engines has revolutionized their multi-power architectures, substantially improving system maintainability and operational reliability. This advancement has established more-electric systems as a cornerstone of modern aerospace electrification research. Concurrently, liquid hydrogen (LH2) emerges as a transformative [...] Read more.
The integration of more-electric technologies into aero-engines has revolutionized their multi-power architectures, substantially improving system maintainability and operational reliability. This advancement has established more-electric systems as a cornerstone of modern aerospace electrification research. Concurrently, liquid hydrogen (LH2) emerges as a transformative solution for next-generation power generation systems, particularly in enabling the transition from 100 kW to megawatt-class propulsion systems. Beyond its superior energy density, LH2 demonstrates dual functionality in thermal management: it serves as both an efficient coolant for power electronics (e.g., controllers) and a cryogenic source for superconducting motor applications. This study systematically investigates the electrification pathway for LH2-fueled aero-engine multi-electric systems. First, we delineate the technical framework, elucidating its architectural characteristics and associated challenges. Subsequently, we conduct a comprehensive analysis of three critical subsystems including LH2 storage and delivery systems, cryogenic cooling systems for superconducting motors, and Thermal management systems for high-power electronics. Finally, we synthesize current research progress and propose strategic directions to accelerate the development of LH2-powered more-electric aero-engines, addressing both technical bottlenecks and future implementation scenarios. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficient Production, Storage and Transportation of Liquid Hydrogen)
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