Disruptive Materials, Designs, and Technologies for Sustainable LH2 Tank Insulation

The work done in the context of Task 2.3 and presented in the respective Deliverable 2.2 led by University of Patras, can be summarized in several key outcomes. First, a holistic sustainable design method was defined and applied to evaluate various insulation materials and configurations for membrane LH2 tanks. A comprehensive review was conducted, covering insulation materials, design options, and technologies across different sectors, identifying innovative solutions and lesser-known materials that may be suitable for hydrogen membrane tank’s insulation design. Additionally, a parametric digital tool was developed to perform preliminary assessments of insulation designs, enabling efficient exploration, at the same time, of feasible and sustainable solutions within a large design space. This methodology and design support tool were demonstrated using an existing LNG tank model, repurposed for LH2 storage. Finally, from the demonstration, sustainable and innovative design options were identified that can be assessed and contribute towards improved membrane LH2 tank insulation designs.