Gas Carriers to be Equipped with CB&I Liquid Hydrogen Containment Systems

An Approval in Principle (AiP) has been granted by DNV to CB&I for its design of a liquid hydrogen (LH₂) cargo containment system. The approval verifies the containment system, which is a collaboration between CB&I and Shell to enable hydrogen energy supply chains, adheres to safety standards.

"Through collaboration with Shell and DNV, we're making large-scale liquid hydrogen storage and transport more economical," said Cesar Canals, Senior Vice President of CB&I. "This approval is a major milestone in making this technology available to all companies looking to build LH₂ carriers, and we look forward to the possibilities this brings to advancing the hydrogen energy supply chain."

DNV—a safety classification agency for shipping technologies—examined the containment system for adherence to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code) and the Interim Recommendations for Carriage of Liquefied Hydrogen in Bulk (Resolution MSC.420(97)). The AiP process mandated a Hazard Identification (HAZID) risk assessment to identify and address any potential flaws with the containment system.

Concept design for the LH₂ containment system; Image Credits: Houlder

"We are delighted to have been invited by CB&I to work on this AiP,” said Ivar Håberg, Director of Approval, Ship Classification, DNV. “Hydrogen, with its potential as an energy carrier and fuel, is likely to play a significant role in the energy transition. It is important for industries to confidently pursue new technologies while ensuring safety. An AiP serves to enhance this confidence by demonstrating the assessment of innovative solutions against established, independent and trusted standards."

CB&I’s containment system features its vacuum-insulated spherical technology for mainland LH₂ storage. The design is estimated to scale up to 40,000 m3 per tank, with projected boiloff rates of less than 0.1% and 0.05% for small and large tanks, respectively. LH₂’s density properties enable CB&I to store more energy onboard in spherical containment vessels, which have been implemented into a concept ship design developed by Houlder. The gas carrier will feature a hull that is optimized for low-density storage and three spherical containment tanks.