Comparative economic analysis of cargo containment and boil-off hydrogen handling options for large-scale liquid hydrogen carriers

Abstract

This study analyzes economics of cargo containment and boil-off hydrogen handling systems for large-scale liquid hydrogen transportation. Three representative boil-off hydrogen handling options (high design pressure tank, re-liquefaction system, and consumption as fuel) are selected for target economic analysis system. Thermodynamic aspects of hydrogen in the liquid hydrogen storage tank are analyzed and reflected in economic analysis. Life cycle cost analysis of each options is estimated and levelized shipping cost of hydrogen which reflects the mass of transported amount of hydrogen as well as life cycle cost is utilized to select optimal insulation layer thickness of liquid hydrogen storage tank in each options. Sensitivity analysis on tank base material cost, liquefied natural gas price, and liquid hydrogen price is conducted and it demonstrates that there is no abrupt change in tendency of main results. Analysis for larger scale liquid hydrogen carrier shows that levelized cost of hydrogen for each options are decreased and the tendency of main results are the similar as the base case.