Insulated vessel for hydrogen storage

High-insulation storage vessel for liquid hydrogen mobility featuring dual vacuum layers and an integrated refrigerant storage space

This technology is a thermally insulated hydrogen storage vessel that places a primary hydrogen storage container, featuring an outer vacuum space, inside a secondary container that also includes a vacuum layer. The space between the two containers serves as a refrigerant storage area, extending the duration that liquid hydrogen remains in a liquid state.

Liquid hydrogen is gaining attention as a fuel for hydrogen vehicles, drones, and ships due to its higher energy density by weight compared to high-pressure gaseous hydrogen. However, it requires maintaining cryogenic temperatures below -253°C, making insulation to prevent vaporization loss from external heat ingress critical. Existing storage vessels rely on multiple layers of vacuum and thermal insulation, which increases the thickness of walls and insulation, leading to bulky systems. This limits storage capacity to 30–40g/L, roughly half the physical density of liquid hydrogen (70g/L).

This technology features detachable covers on the top of both the primary and secondary containers, with an overall vessel cover sealing the assembly. Charging and discharging are managed via a hydrogen inlet/outlet pipe, while primary and secondary relief pipes release hydrogen and refrigerant respectively if pressure rises. Spacers maintain the gap between the containers, insulation is layered within the vacuum spaces, and the exterior is designed with multiple curvatures to ensure pressure resistance in a thin, lightweight vessel. Applicable to hydrogen drones, fuel cell vehicles, marine fuel tanks, and small-scale liquid hydrogen transport and refueling containers, it reduces space and weight constraints while allowing for longer storage of hydrogen in its liquid state.

‍

‍

Key Features:

• A primary container with an internal hydrogen storage space, a first vacuum space along its exterior, and a first cover detachable from a first opening on the top.
• A secondary container into which the primary container is inserted, forming a refrigerant storage space between it and the primary container's outer surface, with a second vacuum space along its exterior.
• A vessel cover that seals a second cover, which opens and closes a second opening of the secondary container, and is coupled to the top of the secondary container.
• A hydrogen inlet/outlet pipe extending from the primary container's hydrogen storage space to the outside of the vessel cover, serving as a passage for hydrogen.

‍

This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Science and ICT for the development of next-generation mobility hydrogen storage systems.

‍