Simulation methodology for hydrogen liquefaction process design considering hydrogen characteristics

One promising method to improve the storage capacity of hydrogen is to liquefy it, resulting in high energy density. However, liquefying hydrogen is a challenging task because hydrogen characteristics, such as a boiling point at a cryogenic temperature and changes in equilibrium compositions of spin isomers constituting hydrogen molecules, must be considered. For a design of a hydrogen liquefaction process, it is necessary to use an equation of state that can accurately calculate the properties of hydrogen, and to consider conversion reactions of the spin isomers. In this study, it is confirmed that the modified Benedict-Webb-Rubin equation is a suitable equation of state for simulating hydrogen liquefaction processes and that an equivalent model used in this study for the conversion reactions of the spin isomers shows reasonable results. Furthermore, the economic feasibility of the designed hydrogen liquefaction process is investigated based on energy optimization and economic analysis.(c) 2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

One promising method to improve hydrogen storage capacity is liquefaction, but the challenging nature of hydrogen liquefaction due to its characteristics and conversion reactions must be considered. In this study, the modified Benedict-Webb-Rubin equation was found to be suitable for simulating hydrogen liquefaction processes, and the equivalent model used for conversion reactions showed reasonable results. Additionally, the economic feasibility of the designed hydrogen liquefaction process was investigated through energy optimization and economic analysis.