Development of Liquid Hydrogen Tanks Based on LNG Tank Experience... Collaboration Between KIMM and Daewoo Shipbuilding

A view of the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials Gimhae LNG Cryogenic Mechanical Technology Testing and Certification Center, where a hydrogen liquefaction plant and liquid hydrogen storage tank performance evaluation facilities are scheduled to be installed
Photo by Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] A national research institute, a public enterprise, and private shipbuilding and steel companies have joined forces to manufacture liquid hydrogen storage tanks using high manganese steel, which is easy to handle and inexpensive. This is expected to enhance competitiveness ahead of the hydrogen era.

The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials under the Ministry of Science and ICT, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, POSCO, and the Korea Gas Safety Corporation signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the 23rd to collaborate on this matter. Accordingly, these organizations will exchange research personnel and share facilities and equipment during the development or certification of high manganese steel materials and welding materials, performance evaluation of steel and welding materials, safety review of high manganese steel tanks, and liquid hydrogen demonstration tests.

High manganese steel is considered a next-generation material because it is easier to weld and cheaper than stainless steel, which is currently used as a material for liquid hydrogen storage tanks. However, it has not yet been commercialized in the liquid hydrogen field. There is growing demand for research and development in cryogenic properties and safety. Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering and POSCO began developing high manganese steel in 2010 and have been using it as a material for liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage tanks since 2015. The liquefaction temperature of liquid hydrogen is lower than that of LNG.

The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials, which launched a research team in 2019 and secured hydrogen liquefaction process technology, supplies liquid hydrogen and evaluates tank performance. A cooperative system among specialized companies in each field?metal materials (POSCO), shipbuilding and offshore plants (Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering), and safety certification (Korea Gas Safety Corporation)?has been established. The industry expects this to contribute to strengthening domestic industrial competitiveness related to large-capacity liquid hydrogen storage technology.

Park Sang-jin, president of the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials, said, "We will strive to domesticize large-capacity hydrogen storage technology to contribute to achieving carbon neutrality and revitalizing the hydrogen economy."