Experimental characterization and modeling of the behaviour of thermal insulation materials for cryogenic LH2 tanks

Cryogenic gases such as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) or Liquefied Hydrogen (LH2) are increasingly vital energy carriers within the transportation sector, necessitating tanks equipped with Thermal Super Insulation (TSI) to maintain the fluid's low temperature during storage. While TSI has proven effective in various applications, its adoption in land transport faces unique challenges due to the higher likelihood of accidents involving collisions and fires. The global interest in hydrogen-based green energy, coupled with the rise of hydrogen-powered vehicles, underscores the importance of exploring innovative storage solutions. Cryogenic tanks incorporating Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) emerge as promising options for maximizing energy storage per unit volume. However, MLI's susceptibility to degradation when exposed to external heat sources, such as fires following vehicular accidents, poses significant challenges, rendering the tank vulnerable and potentially leading to rapid failure. This study focused on examining the behavior of glass fleece spacers constituting MLI systems and quantifying their damping effect on radiation. To this end, a Low-Temperature Thermal Vacuum Chamber (LTTVC) was developed, facilitating the thermal loading of spacers while concurrently measuring the heat flow through them.