Cryogenics Fluid Dynamics Lab, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford: Liquid Hydrogen and Other Cryogenic Energy Carriers

Liquid Hydrogen and Other Cryogenic Energy Carriers

As traditional fossil fuels become increasingly unsustainable and environmentally detrimental, there is an urgent need to develop alternative energy sources that are clean, efficient, and scalable. Many of these new energy carriers will have to be stored and transported in cryogenic conditions.  Liquid hydrogen, Liquified Natural Gas and other cryogenic mediums offer high energy density and low emission operation, making them prime candidates for powering a wide range of applications, from transportation to industrial processes.

Through cutting-edge computational research, our group aims to accelerate the adoption of liquid hydrogen and other cryogenic energy carriers as viable solutions for a sustainable and carbon-neutral energy landscape. Some of the computational work we are undertaking includes:

• Molecular Dynamics Simulations: Employing molecular dynamics techniques to investigate the behavior of cryogenic fluids at the molecular level, elucidating key thermodynamic and transport properties essential for efficient energy storage and transfer.

• Multi-Scale Modeling of Cryogenic Systems: Developing sophisticated multi-scale models that integrate macroscopic fluid dynamics with micro-scale phenomena, such as phase transitions and surface interactions, to accurately predict the performance of cryogenic energy systems under diverse operating conditions.

• Optimization of Cryogenic Storage and Distribution Networks: Utilizing advanced optimization algorithms and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to design and optimize cryogenic storage and distribution networks, minimizing energy losses and maximizing efficiency in the storage and transportation of liquid hydrogen and other cryogenic fuels.

• Safety: Research activities in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) pertaining to liquid hydrogen and other cryogenic energy carriers prioritize safety as a paramount concern. CFD simulations serve as indispensable tools for comprehensively analyzing fluid flow behaviours, heat transfer dynamics, and phase change phenomena at cryogenic temperatures, with a particular emphasis on ensuring the utmost safety standards.