Work

Harnessing the enigmatic ortho-para isomeric conversion for energy-efficient and low-carbon production of liquid hydrogen

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Summary Liquid hydrogen (LH2) is considered an attractive replacement for hydrocarbon fuels, but the energy-intensive production of LH2 hinders its uptake in industry. We find that up to 57% of energy expenditure in liquefaction comes from the exothermic conversion of the ortho-hydrogen isomer into the para-hydrogen form. Our experimental results demonstrate that full (99.6% para-hydrogen) ortho-para conversion (OPC) is impractical, leading us to consider non-ideal OPC in liquefaction simulations for the first time. We highlight that the energy and environmental costs of LH2 are excessive if LH2 is used before one year after liquefaction. Through tunable OPC, we reduce energy costs by 8%–13% with 83%–95% para-hydrogen compared with full OPC while still attaining loss-less LH2 storage for 1–7 days. We demonstrate that wind-based LH2 production leads to 20× lower CO2 emissions than jet fuels, reducing the environmental impact of a London-New York flight (Boeing 787–9) by at least 92%.

Source: Cell Reports Sustainability

DOI: 10.1016/j.crsus.2024.100243

Authors: Paula V. Mendoza-Moreno, George J. Fulham, Ewa J. Marek

Institution: University of Cambridge

Language: English

Topic: Spacecraft and Cryogenic Technologies

Subfield: Aerospace Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Climate action, Responsible consumption and production, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $5,460