소형 수소액화기 설계 및 운전에 관한 연구

Abstract

In order to accelerate hydrogen society in current big renewable energy trend, it is very important that hydrogen can be transported and stored as a fuel in efficient and economical fashion. In this perspective, liquid hydrogen can be considered as one of the most prospective storage methods that can bring early arrival of the hydrogen society by its high gravimetric energy density. In this study, a small-scale hydrogen liquefier has been designed and developed to demonstrate direct hydrogen liquefaction technology. Gifford-McMahon (GM) cryocooler was employed to cool warm hydrogen gas to normal boiling point of hydrogen at 20K. Various cryogenic insulation technologies such as double walled vacuum vessels and multi-layer insulation were used to minimize heat leak from ambient. A liquid nitrogen assisted precooler, two ortho-para hydrogen catalytic converters, and highly efficient heat pipe were adapted to achieve the target liquefaction rate of 1L/hr. The liquefier has successfully demonstrated more than 1L/hr of hydrogen liquefaction. The system also has demonstrated its versatile usage as a very efficient 150L liquid hydrogen storage tank.