With its cryogenic tank system for LH2, the SAG Group is providing an important building block on the road to emission-free transportation.
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Premium LH2 tank system: technology development for climate protection
Cryogenic tank system for LH2
Minus 253 degrees Celsius and high pressure are constantly required to store hydrogen in a liquid state and make it available as a climate-friendly fuel alternative with maximum energy density. The R&D experts at the SAG Group have succeeded in developing a tank solution that meets these extreme requirements and can make a significant contribution to CO2-emission-free truck traffic. The system meets the difficult technical requirements and has already proven itself in test runs thanks to its compact size and high reliability. Recently, five hydrogen trucks with SAG cryogenic tank systems have been on the road in Europe for further practical testing in real logistics operations.
Hydrogen is regarded as the fuel of the future on the road to emission-free mobility. Thanks to its high energy density and short refueling times, liquid hydrogen in particular is a promising alternative to diesel and experts assume that LH2 in particular will play a decisive role in achieving EU climate targets in truck transport in the future. Thanks to its high energy density, liquid hydrogen (LH2) is ideal for use over long distances.
With its cryogenic tank system for LH2, the SAG Group is providing an important building block on the road to emission-free transportation. An innovative development that is already being used in the Mercedes Benz GenH2 truck. The stainless steel tank system consists of two interlocking, interconnected tubes that are vacuum-insulated and each have a capacity of 44 kilograms of LH2. This quantity enables a range of more than 1000 km. A special valve system designed for extremely low temperatures enables safe refueling and a reliable supply of hydrogen to the fuel cell.
Advantages of
SAG’s LH2 cryo tank system
at a glance
Double-tank-system
capacity 80kg of LH2(2x 40kg) based on thermos flask principle – inner and outer tank, with high vacuum and multi-layer insulation
Technical details
Diameter 711mm, length 2500mm
Operating pressure 6 bar
Max. allowed working pressure 19 bar
Gross volume 760l
Weight without H2 around 400kg per tank
High range
achieved by Daimler GenH2 truck 1.047km with some LH2 left in the tanks due to high energy density compared to gaseous hydrogen solutions
Long hold-time
Hold-time at 50% filling level 8 days
Cost effective
Tanks are cheaper and lighter compared to gaseous cylinders (no carbon fibre)
Economic
Fast refueling
Max. payload and transport volume
Compatibility of cryogenic liquid hydrogen storage, fuel cells and hydrogen internal combustion engines
Amongst zero CO2 transport solutions, liquid hydrogen as a fuel for heavy duty trucks offers advantages in terms of energy storage density and refueling time especially in comparison to battery electric vehicles. In addition, the pressure in the tank can be kept at a low level compared to high pressure gaseous storage. This comes with advantages in terms of weight, sizing, cost and safety of the tank.