Efficient cooling strategies for liquid hydrogen pipelines: A comparative analysis

Shaolong Zhu, Song Fang, Shiran Bao, Xiaoqin Zhi, Kai Wang and Limin Qiu

Renewable Energy, 2024, vol. 236, issue C

Abstract: Liquid hydrogen (LH2) stands out for its high energy density, efficient transportation, and safe low-pressure storage. However, the challenge lies in achieving rapid cooling of LH2 pipelines while minimizing hydrogen loss. This paper introduces a robust three-dimensional model for simulating the unsteady-state heat transfer and the gas-liquid two-phase flow within LH2 pipelines. Throughout the cooling cycle, the pipe undergoes transitions in flow patterns, including stratified smooth flow, wavy flow, and intermittent flow, in which wavy flow dominates due to the extremely low liquid-to-gas density ratio of hydrogen. A comprehensive comparative analysis is conducted for three cooling modes: constant flow, variable flow, and pulsing flow. Finally, an evaluative framework for distinct pipeline cooling modes has been proposed. A reasonable variable flow cooling mode exhibits certain advantages in both cooling time and liquid hydrogen consumption when compared with the constant flow cooling mode, and the pulse flow cooling method adeptly capitalizes on the performance benefits derived from intermittent flow. Specifically, within the cooling range of 40 K–20 K, it substantially economizes liquid hydrogen consumption (15%–20 %), albeit concomitant with an extended total cooling time (40%–60 %). This study can offer theoretical insights to guide the high-efficiency cooling of liquid hydrogen pipelines.

Keywords: Liquid hydrogen; Clean energy; Cryogenic heat transfer; Two-phase flow; CFD (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:236:y:2024:i:c:s0960148124015568

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2024.121488

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