Written by
Nick Blenkey
Picture: HD Hyundai KSOE
Hydrogen expertise is seen as key to the way forward for clear vitality and shipbuilders and designers are more and more turning their consideration to creating the liquid hydrogen (LH2) carriers that will likely be important to any future hydrogen economic system. These shipbuilders embody HD Hyundai Korea Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (KSOE) — and 3M glass bubbles may very well be a part of its future LH2 carriers
Consider 3M (NYSE:MMM) and you might assume Scotch Tape and Put up-Its, however there’s much more to the corporate than its client merchandise, together with these glass bubbles, high-strength, low-density hole glass microspheres with some exceptional properties that already see them utilized in a spread of purposes, together with pipeplines.
3M and HD Hyundai KSOE have signed a joint analysis undertaking settlement to develop giant liquid hydrogen storage tanks utilizing 3M glass bubbles. The collaborative analysis will give attention to creating a high-performance vacuum insulation system for liquified hydrogen storage and transportation in LH2 carriers.
Hydrogen must be transported as a liquid and never a fuel, as a result of, as a liquid it may be lowered to 1/800th the quantity. Nonetheless, hydrogen is liquefied at a really low temperature of -253°C, so a high-performance insulation system for the tanks and the principle supplies concerned are important.
Below the settlement, the 2 corporations will collaborate on insulation and development workability evaluations, demonstrations, and classification approvals for the appliance of 3M’s glass bubbles to HD HHI’s superior thermal insulation system for hydrogen storage tanks. Via this, the 2 corporations hope to seize the preliminary quantity of orders for high-value-added LH2 provider ships.
“We’re honored to conduct joint analysis with 3M on insulation supplies for hydrogen storage tanks,” mentioned Kim Sung-jun, CEO of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering.
“This collaboration is a serious step ahead within the pursuit of constructing hydrogen applied sciences out there at scale,” mentioned 3M’s superior supplies division president Brian Coleman. “3M’s glass bubbles supply vital benefits over conventional cryogenic insulation supplies on the subject of thermal effectivity and sturdiness. We’re thrilled to lend our experience and world-class supplies science within the hydrogen worth chain.”
