CBI and Shell Unveil Innovative Liquid Hydrogen Storage Tank Design for International Trade
On April 15, 2025, at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, a remarkable collaboration emerged as CB&I, alongside Shell International Exploration and Production Inc., GenH2, and the University of Houston, unveiled a groundbreaking large-scale liquid hydrogen (LH2) storage tank design. This innovative structure, touted as the first of its kind for international applications, is set to revolutionize the way liquid hydrogen is stored and transported, bolstering energy trade across borders.
Mark Butts, President and CEO of CBI, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating that their extensive experience in cryogenic insulation and storage has culminated in solutions specially designed to meet the demands of the evolving energy sector. "Our collaboration with this world-class project team will provide a pathway to low-cost, large-scale liquid hydrogen storage," he noted.
The ambitious project commenced in 2021, with the support of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). It entails a novel tank design that can handle an impressive capacity of up to 100,000 cubic meters of LH2, promising substantial cost benefits over conventional vacuum-insulated tanks. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this new design, CBI and its partners constructed a small-scale LH2 demonstration tank, which is currently undergoing startup and testing procedures at the NASA facility.
Theo Bodewes, General Manager for Hydrogen Technology at Shell, highlighted the power of teamwork in advancing technological capabilities. "With invaluable support from the DOE, this project exemplifies how industry experts, academic institutions, and government bodies can collaboratively tackle intricate technological obstacles," he stated. This innovation isn’t just about efficiency; it represents a vital step towards reducing costs and accelerating the commercialization of large-scale hydrogen storage.
The newly constructed demonstration tank will considerably enhance the hydrogen test facility's storage capacity at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. It serves as a critical tool for understanding the behavior of materials under cryogenic conditions, including mimicking the regular fill and empty cycles that liquid hydrogen undergoes during storage and transport. The collaborators committed to utilizing this tank for an extended five-year period, allowing continued testing of new insulation technologies under non-vacuum conditions.
James Fesmire, Chief Architect at GenH2, underscored the importance of this collaborative effort, stating, "This initiative has provided us with the opportunity to develop testing capabilities for thermal insulation systems, paving the way for unlocking the global potential of liquid hydrogen." Furthermore, Dr. Ramanan Krishnamoorti from the University of Houston commended the partnership between academia, government, and industry in bringing this concept to fruition, paving the way for a more flexible and affordable global hydrogen trade infrastructure.
Another notable figure, Dr. Sunita Satyapal, director of the DOE’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office, acknowledged the project as a prime example of how American energy innovation can lead to global advancements. She stressed the collaborative efforts in the sector will contribute significantly to providing affordable solutions for energy operators in the market.
CBI's history with liquid hydrogen stretches back to the 1960s when it built the first LH2 sphere for NASA. Over the decades, they have expanded their operational capabilities, showcasing a commitment to innovation and excellence in storage solutions. With over 130 LH2 vessels completed, CBI remains a leader in energy storage infrastructure.
In summary, the unveiling of the first commercial-scale LH2 storage tank by CBI and Shell marks a significant milestone in the push towards a sustainable energy future. This initiative not only showcases the potential for strategic international trade in hydrogen but also underscores the vital collaborative effort between industry, academia, and government to solve the challenges presented by energy transition. As we look to the future, this innovative storage solution is a promising indication of the shifts toward cleaner, more efficient energy sources on a global scale.
Mark Butts, President and CEO of CBI, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating that their extensive experience in cryogenic insulation and storage has culminated in solutions specially designed to meet the demands of the evolving energy sector. "Our collaboration with this world-class project team will provide a pathway to low-cost, large-scale liquid hydrogen storage," he noted.
The ambitious project commenced in 2021, with the support of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). It entails a novel tank design that can handle an impressive capacity of up to 100,000 cubic meters of LH2, promising substantial cost benefits over conventional vacuum-insulated tanks. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this new design, CBI and its partners constructed a small-scale LH2 demonstration tank, which is currently undergoing startup and testing procedures at the NASA facility.
Theo Bodewes, General Manager for Hydrogen Technology at Shell, highlighted the power of teamwork in advancing technological capabilities. "With invaluable support from the DOE, this project exemplifies how industry experts, academic institutions, and government bodies can collaboratively tackle intricate technological obstacles," he stated. This innovation isn’t just about efficiency; it represents a vital step towards reducing costs and accelerating the commercialization of large-scale hydrogen storage.
The newly constructed demonstration tank will considerably enhance the hydrogen test facility's storage capacity at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. It serves as a critical tool for understanding the behavior of materials under cryogenic conditions, including mimicking the regular fill and empty cycles that liquid hydrogen undergoes during storage and transport. The collaborators committed to utilizing this tank for an extended five-year period, allowing continued testing of new insulation technologies under non-vacuum conditions.
James Fesmire, Chief Architect at GenH2, underscored the importance of this collaborative effort, stating, "This initiative has provided us with the opportunity to develop testing capabilities for thermal insulation systems, paving the way for unlocking the global potential of liquid hydrogen." Furthermore, Dr. Ramanan Krishnamoorti from the University of Houston commended the partnership between academia, government, and industry in bringing this concept to fruition, paving the way for a more flexible and affordable global hydrogen trade infrastructure.
Another notable figure, Dr. Sunita Satyapal, director of the DOE’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office, acknowledged the project as a prime example of how American energy innovation can lead to global advancements. She stressed the collaborative efforts in the sector will contribute significantly to providing affordable solutions for energy operators in the market.
CBI's history with liquid hydrogen stretches back to the 1960s when it built the first LH2 sphere for NASA. Over the decades, they have expanded their operational capabilities, showcasing a commitment to innovation and excellence in storage solutions. With over 130 LH2 vessels completed, CBI remains a leader in energy storage infrastructure.
In summary, the unveiling of the first commercial-scale LH2 storage tank by CBI and Shell marks a significant milestone in the push towards a sustainable energy future. This initiative not only showcases the potential for strategic international trade in hydrogen but also underscores the vital collaborative effort between industry, academia, and government to solve the challenges presented by energy transition. As we look to the future, this innovative storage solution is a promising indication of the shifts toward cleaner, more efficient energy sources on a global scale.
Topics Energy）
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