Review on the design and optimization of hydrogen liquefaction processes

Abstract

The key technologies of liquefied hydrogen have been developing rapidly due to its prospective energy exchange effectiveness, zero emissions, and long distance and economic transportation. However, hydrogen liquefaction is one of the most energy-intensive industrial processes. A small reduction in energy consumption and an improvement in efficiency may decrease the operating cost of the entire process. In this paper, the detailed progress of design and optimization for hydrogen liquefaction in recent years are summarized. Then, based on the refrigeration cycles, the hydrogen liquefaction processes are divided into two parts, namely precooled liquefaction process and cascade liquefaction process. Among the existing technologies, the SEC of most hydrogen liquefaction processes is limited in the range of 5–8 kWh/ {\mathrm{k}\mathrm{g}}_{{\mathrm{L}\mathrm{H}}_2} : liquid hydrogen). The exergy efficiencies of processes are around 40% to 60%. Finally, several future improvements for hydrogen liquefaction process design and optimization are proposed. The mixed refrigerants (MRs) as the working fluids of the process and the combination of the traditional hydrogen liquefaction process with the renewable energy technology will be the great prospects for development in near future.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

hydrogen liquefaction / energy consumption / efficiency / optimization

References

[1] Turner J A. Sustainable hydrogen production. Science, 2004, 305(5686): 972–974

[2] Cardella U, Decker L, Klein H. Roadmap to economically viable hydrogen liquefaction. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2017, 42(19): 13329–13338

[3] LBST, Hydrogen Refueling Station Worldwide. 2019–06–18

[4] Valenti G. Hydrogen liquefaction and liquid hydrogen storage. In: Gupta R B, Basile A, Nejat T. Compendium of Hydrogen Energy. Woodhead Publishing, 2016, 27–51

[5] Acar C, Dincer I. Hydrogen energy. In: Dincer I, eds. Comprehensive Energy Systems, Elsevier, 2018, 1: 568–605

[6] Ball M, Wietschel M. The Hydrogen Economy: Opportunities and Challenges. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009

[7] Li M, Bai Y F, Zhang C Z, Song Y, Jiang S, Grouset D, Zhang M. Review on the research of hydrogen storage system fast refueling in fuel cell vehicle. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2019, 44(21): 10677–10693

[8] Nash D, Aklil D, Johnson E, Gazey R, Ortisi V. Hydrogen storage: compressed gas. Comprehensive Renewable Energy, 2012, 4: 131–155

[9] Dewar J. Liquid hydrogen. Science, 1900, 11(278): 641–651

[10] Krasae-in S, Stang J H, Neksa P. Development of large-scale hydrogen liquefaction processes from 1898 to 2009. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2010, 35(10): 4524–4533

[11] Drnevich R. Hydrogen delivery: liquefaction and compression. In: Strategic initiatives for Hydrogen Delivery Workshop, Tonawanda, NY, USA, 2003

[12] Bracha M, Lorenz G, Patzelt A, Wanner M. Large-scale hydrogen liquefaction in Germany. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 1994, 19(1): 53–59

[13] Shimko M, Gardiner M. Innovative hydrogen liquefaction cycle. FY 2008 Annual Progress Report, DOE Hydrogen Program, 2008

[14] Tang L. Hydrogen liquefaction process design and system simulation based on liquid nitrogen precooling. Dissertation for the Master Degree. Hangzhou: Zhejiang University, 2011, 23–32

[15] Yuksel Y E, Ozturk M, Dincer I. Analysis and assessment of a novel hydrogen liquefaction process. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2017, 42(16): 11429–11438

[16] Krasae-in S, Stang J H, Neksa P. Simulation on a proposed large-scale liquid hydrogen plant using a multi-component refrigerant refrigeration system. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2010, 35(22): 12531–12544

[17] Ansarinasab H, Mehrpooya M, Mohammadi A. Advanced exergy and exergoeconomic analyses of a hydrogen liquefaction plant equipped with mixed refrigerant system. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2017, 144: 248–259

[18] Stetson N T, Olson G L, Bowman R C Jr. Overview of hydrogen storage, transportation, handling and distribution. In: Sherif S A, Goswami D Y, Stefanakos E K. et al. Handbook of Hydrogen Energy. CRC Press, 2014: 567–592

[19] Vander Arend P. Large-scale liquid hydrogen production. Chemical Engineering Progress, 1961, 57(10): 62–67

[20] Hutchinson H L. A kinetics study of the para-ortho shift of hydrogen. Dissertation for the Master Degree. Colorado: University of Colorado, 1964

[21] Silvera I F. The solid molecular hydrogens in the condensed phase: fundamentals and static properties. Reviews of Modern Physics, 1980, 52(2): 393–452

[22] Sullivan N, Zhou D, Edwards C. Precise and efficient in situ ortho-para-hydrogen converter. Cryogenics, 1990, 30(8): 734–735

[23] Barron R F. Liquefaction cycles for cryogens. In: Timmerhaus K D. Advances in Cryogenic Engineering. Boston: Springer, 1972, 20–36

[24] Aasadnia M, Mehrpooya M. Large-scale liquid hydrogen production methods and approaches: a review. Applied Energy, 2018, 212: 57–83

[25] Nandi T K, Sarangi S. Performance and optimization of hydrogen liquefaction cycles. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 1993, 18(2): 131–139

[26] Peschka W. Liquid Hydrogen: Fuel of the Future. Springer Science & Business Media, 2012

[27] Yin L, Ju Y L. Comparison and analysis of two nitrogen expansion cycles for BOG Re-liquefaction systems for small LNG ships. Energy, 2019, 172: 769–776

[28] Baker C R, Shaner R L. A study of the efficiency of hydrogen liquefaction. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 1978, 3(3): 321–334

[29] Mitsugi Ch, Harumi A, Kenzo F W E N E T. Japanese hydrogen program. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 1998, 23(3): 159–165

[30] Kuz’menko I F, Morkovkin I M, Gurov E I. Concept of building medium-capacity hydrogen liquefiers with helium refrigeration cycle. Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, 2004, 40(1/2): 94–98

[31] Garceau N M, Baik J H, Lim C M, Kim S Y, Oh I H, Karng S W. Development of a small-scale hydrogen liquefaction system. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2015, 40(35): 11872–11878

[32] Hammad A, Dincer I. Analysis and assessment of an advanced hydrogen liquefaction system. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2018, 43(2): 1139–1151

[33] Staats W L. Analysis of a supercritical hydrogen liquefaction cycle. Dissertation for the Master Degree. Massachusetts: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2008

[34] Matsuda H, Nagami M. Study of large hydrogen liquefaction process. Hydrogen Energy, 1997, 8: 175–175

[35] Quack H. Conceptual design of a high efficiency large capacity hydrogen liquefier. AIP Conference Proceedings, 2002, 613: 255–263

[36] Valenti G, Macchi E. Proposal of an innovative, high-efficiency, large-scale hydrogen liquefier. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2008, 33(12): 3116–3121

[37] Stang J, Neksa P, Brendeng E. On the design of an efficient hydrogen liquefaction process. In: 16th World Hydrogen Energy Conference 2006 (WHEC 2006), Lyon, France, 2006: 1–6

[38] Krasae-in S. Optimal operation of a large-scale liquid hydrogen plant utilizing mixed fluid refrigeration system. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2014, 39(13): 7015–7029

[39] Sadaghiani M S, Mehrpooya M. Introducing and energy analysis of a novel cryogenic hydrogen liquefaction process configuration. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2017, 42(9): 6033–6050

[40] Asadnia M, Mehrpooya M. A novel hydrogen liquefaction process configuration with combined mixed refrigerant systems. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2017, 42(23): 15564–15585

[41] Cardella U, Decker L, Sundberg J, Klein H. Process optimization for large-scale hydrogen liquefaction. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2017, 42(17): 12339–12354

[42] Kuendig A, Loehlein K, Kramer G, Huijsmans J. Large scale hydrogen liquefaction in combination with LNG re-gasification. In: 16th World Hydrogen Energy Conference 2006 (WHEC 2006), Lyon, France, 2006: 3326–3333

[43] Kramer G J, Huijsmans J, Austgen D. Clean and green hydrogen. In: 16th World Hydrogen Energy Conference 2006 (WHEC 2006), Lyon, France, 2006: 3317–3325

[44] Ansarinasab H, Mehrpooya M, Sadeghzadeh M. An exergy-based investigation on hydrogen liquefaction plant-exergy, exergoeconomic, and exergoenvironmental analyses. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2019, 210: 530–541

[45] Aasadnia M, Mehrpooya M. Conceptual design and analysis of a novel process for hydrogen liquefaction assisted by absorption precooling system. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2018, 205: 565–588

[46] Muradov N Z, Veziroğlu T N. “Green” path from fossil-based to hydrogen economy: an overview of carbon-neutral technologies. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2008, 33(23): 6804–6839

[47] Yilmaz C, Kaska O. Performance analysis and optimization of a hydrogen liquefaction system assisted by geothermal absorption precooling refrigeration cycle. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2018, 43(44): 20203–20213

[48] Yilmaz C. Optimum energy evaluation and life cycle cost assessment of a hydrogen liquefaction system assisted by geothermal energy. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2019

[49] Yuksel Y E, Ozturk M, Dincer I. Energetic and exergetic assessments of a novel solar power tower based multigeneration system with hydrogen production and liquefaction. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2019, 44(26): 13071–13084

[50] Zhang H, Gimaev R, Kovalev B, Kamilov K, Zverev V, Tishin A. Review on the materials and devices for magnetic refrigeration in the temperature range of nitrogen and hydrogen liquefaction. Physica B, Condensed Matter, 2019, 558: 65–73

[51] He T B, Karimi I A, Ju Y L. Review on the design and optimization of natural gas liquefaction processes for onshore and offshore applications. Chemical Engineering Research & Design, 2018, 132: 89–114

[52] Kwak D H, Heo J H, Park S H, Seo S J, Kim J K. Energy-efficient design and optimization of boil-off gas (BOG) re-liquefaction process for liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fuelled ship. Energy, 2018, 148: 915–929

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2020 Higher Education Press