3M and Hyundai Korea Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (KSOE) have joined forces to pioneer the development of large liquid hydrogen storage tanks.
The primary objective of this partnership is to design and develop high-performance liquid hydrogen storage tanks using 3M’s cutting-edge Glass Bubbles technology. These tanks are envisioned to play a pivotal role in storing and transporting liquid hydrogen efficiently and safely, addressing key challenges in the hydrogen supply chain.
3M’s Glass Bubbles are lightweight, hollow microspheres with high strength and low density, making them ideal for enhancing the insulation and structural integrity of storage tanks. By incorporating Glass Bubbles into the design, Hyundai KSOE aims to create tanks that offer superior thermal insulation properties, thereby minimizing heat loss during storage and transportation.
The successful development of large liquid hydrogen storage tanks holds immense promise for the hydrogen economy. Liquid hydrogen offers a higher energy density compared to its gaseous counterpart, enabling more efficient storage and transportation over long distances. This advancement could significantly bolster the use of hydrogen as a clean and sustainable energy carrier across various sectors, including transportation, industry, and power generation.
