Korean Register examines safe handling of hydrogen fuel on ships

“In order to safely and efficiently store and transport hydrogen, it must be handled in the form of liquid hydrogen and a cryogenic environment must be met,” classification society Korean Register said in a recent report.

PHOTO: Generic image of a hydrogen-powered vessel with liquid hydrogen storage tanks. Getty Images

Hydrogen is one of the lightest of all elements with low volumetric energy density. It is lighter than helium and around 11 times lighter than air. Gaseous hydrogen is colourless, odourless and can penetrate easily through pipes and tanks because its molecules are very light and small. This allows it to easily pass through leaks without being detected.

In its report, Korean Register highlighted that hydrogen should be stored as liquid and transported at cryogenic temperatures to ensure safety and efficiency onboard. “However, the research infrastructure and related industry understanding of materials applied to liquid hydrogen storage systems for ships are lacking,” it said.

The classification society has also examined different metals, such as nickel and steel, that can be used to build hydrogen storage tanks, fuel delivery systems, and pipes for liquid hydrogen.

It has also analysed different temperatures that will determine the suitability of various metals for building storage containers and piping systems.

By Konica Bhatt

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