Energy
New modeling extends liquid hydrogen storage duration
Researchers demonstrate that metal-organic frameworks could significantly extend the storage duration of liquid hydrogen.
Key points
- A UNIST-led research team modeled the integration of porous metal-organic frameworks into cryogenic liquid hydrogen tanks.
- Simulations showed storage duration could increase from 64 days to 221 days under mid-vacuum insulation conditions.
- The method retains approximately 97 percent of the volumetric capacity of conventional systems.
What happened
A research collaboration led by the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) has simulated the use of porous metal-organic frameworks to reduce boil-off in liquid hydrogen storage. According to an Institut Laue-Langevin news release reported by Hydrogen Fuel News, the modeling assessed tanks containing a porous solid phase within the cryogenic volume.
Why it matters
Under the team's simulation conditions, a conventional vacuum-insulated tank holding neat liquid hydrogen depletes in roughly 64 days. Integrating the IRMOF-20 material extended the potential storage duration to approximately 221 days while maintaining about 97 per cent of the volumetric capacity.
What comes next
Further development and physical testing of metal-organic frameworks in cryogenic storage systems will be required to validate these simulation results for commercial application.
Original reporting
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Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
