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CryoVac

CryoVac: Shipboard transport of liquefied hydrogen (LH2)

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Conceptual animation of the CryoVac containment system

CryoVac – why now

A patented vacuum-insulation platform for large-scale LH2 containment, carried through DNV Approval in Principle.

  • EP 4 158 239

    Patent protection in six national jurisdictions

  • DNV AiP

    Concept assessed by a classification society

  • Analysis executed

    Thermal design basis, benchmarking and panel FEA

  • Two pathways

    Prismatic carrier containment and spherical extension

Animated introduction

Presenting CryoVac LH2 containment system

Silent animation, 30 seconds: the CryoVac LH2 carrier, a cut-away of the hull showing the tank holds, hexagonal vacuum panels welded together on the tank surface, and an exploded view of a single CryoPan panel.
The video gives a conceptual illustration of the CryoVac LH2 containment system.

CryoVac system in brief

Render of the CryoVac LH₂ carrier with a cut-away of the hull showing the prismatic tank holds

The CryoVac LH2 containment solution:

  • Insulated prismatic tank compliant with IMO B tank requirements.
  • Positioned in a hold holding a nitrogen-enriched atmosphere.
  • The hold is similarly insulated.
  • The applied insulation comprises:
    • Hexagonal vacuum panels.
    • Welded together to form continuous surfaces.
The insulation system is managed by a Vacuum Control System – capable of detecting/ monitoring and restoring vacuum.
How the CryoPan panel works

From idea to validated platform

The invention, the IP, the engineering and the independent assessment are behind CryoVac.

  1. Achieved:

    Invention

    Vacuum panel concept developed into a system architecture.

  2. Achieved:

    IP

    Protection in six national jurisdictions.

  3. Achieved:

    Engineering

    Thermal basis, benchmarking and panel FEA executed.

  4. Achieved:

    DNV AiP

    Assessed by a classification society.

  5. Concept and architecture stage:

    Industrialisation

    Automated panel manufacturing concept.

  6. Concept and architecture stage:

    Applications

    Prismatic containment and spherical extension.

  • Achieved
  • Concept and architecture stage

Industrialisation and deployment are ahead of it.

Key figures

Benchmark case — conventional PU insulation vs CryoPan / CryoVac, LNG reference vessel

  • 23% reduction

    Weight

  • 57% reduction

    Insulation volume

  • 57% reduction

    Installation time

  • 30% reduction

    Panel cost

Note 2: The comparison is based on a single insulation layer, for LNG applications.

Thermal analysis and benchmarking executed — LH2 reference case

  • 5.2 W/m²

    Average heat leak, CryoVac structure

  • 27,249 W

    Margin vs 0.5% boil-off allowance

For the benchmarked LH2 carrier case, conventional PU insulation does not meet the required thermal-performance target, while the CryoVac structure clears the 0.5% boil-off criterion with a 27,249 W margin.

FEA thermal analysis of the CryoVac structure. Calculations exclude the effect of the radiation barrier.

See performance and thermal analysis

AiP status

Approval in Principle by DNV

Granted 11 December 2024

  • Product: vacuum insulation system for LH2
  • Designer: CryoVac AS

TradeWinds · Sustainability

“DNV gives Norwegian firm approval for its liquid hydrogen tanks”

Headline, TradeWinds, 11 December 2024

An AiP is concept-level approval in principle.

It is not final Class approval and not full qualification.
IPR and DNV validation

Why a partner should enter now

Foundational technology value exists.

The right partner can now help convert it into qualified, industrial and commercial value.

In place

  • Patented panel architecture, six jurisdictions
  • DNV Approval in Principle
  • Executed thermal engineering basis
  • Prismatic and spherical application architecture
  • Experienced inventor and developer base
  • Clear control and simple governance

The partner brings

  • Capital for the next development phase
  • Industrial manufacturing and build capacity
  • Weight to carry qualification and Class
  • Access to owners, yards and projects
From technology to industrial scale

Partner with CryoVac

Entry before full qualification and industrial deployment.

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