Progress continues within LH₂CRAFT under Task 6.4 – Testing of Handling, Distribution and Monitoring Subsystems, which is dedicated to the validation of the subsystems responsible for the handling, distribution and monitoring of liquefied hydrogen.
This work is an important step towards ensuring that the project’s cryogenic infrastructure can operate safely, reliably and effectively under demanding maritime conditions. The task is led by the School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens – NTUA.
The work is structured around two main testing phases. The first phase evaluates the integrity and performance of the main system components, including piping, pumps and valves. This phase aims to determine whether evaporation occurs, triggering boil-off, while also improving understanding of how hydrogen storage heat-transfer phenomena — such as heat leakage, ortho-para conversion, sloshing and flashing — affect the evaporation rate.
The second phase validates the comprehensive monitoring system designed to detect and manage potential hazards across the cryogenic infrastructure. This includes testing the accuracy of temperature and pressure sensors, particularly for vacuum insulation layers, as well as assessing the reliability of gas detectors for leak identification.
In addition, Task 6.4 confirms that the integrated data analysis software and alarm modules can effectively trigger warnings in the event of system malfunction. These activities are essential to ensuring a robust safety net for the LH₂CRAFT cryogenic infrastructure and supporting the project’s wider objective of enabling the safe and efficient use of liquid hydrogen in maritime applications.
Through this work, LH₂CRAFT contributes to the development of safe, reliable and future-ready solutions for hydrogen-based shipping and the transition towards zero-emission maritime transport.
