The LH2CRAFT project has reached an important milestone in Task 5.1 – Concept Engineering Design of the HDMSS, led by HYDRUS, with contributions from key project partners.
This task focuses on the development of the concept design of the Liquid Hydrogen Handling, Distribution and Management Safety System, known as the HDMSS. The system is being developed to enable the safe loading, storage, monitoring, handling and unloading of liquid hydrogen as cargo, taking into account the cryogenic containment technology solutions under development and the operational needs of the future LH₂ carrier.
As part of this work, the engineering team developed a comprehensive set of high-level technical documents covering the main aspects of the liquid hydrogen cargo handling process. These included process flow diagrams, piping and instrumentation diagrams, operational modes for hydrogen handling, and the definition of essential safety systems such as gas detection, fire detection, ventilation and emergency shutdown mechanisms.
An important feature of the work was the integration of safety considerations from the early stages of the design process. Insights from the project’s early Hazard Identification activities helped shape the concept design, ensuring that safety was embedded from the outset rather than addressed at a later stage.
Task 5.1 also examined port bunkering concepts and the potential relevance of existing LNG terminal infrastructure for future liquid hydrogen bunkering facilities. This provides valuable knowledge for assessing how current maritime energy infrastructure could support the transition towards hydrogen-based solutions.
Figure 1. LH2CRAFT process flow diagram
The outcome of Task 5.1 is a solid concept design framework for the LH₂ HDMSS, providing the basis for further engineering development, regulatory assessment and future validation activities within the LH2CRAFT project.
