Pressurization Dynamics in Cryogenic Storage Tanks
Summary
Cryogenic storage tanks, employed for liquefied gases such as hydrogen, natural gas and oxygen, rely on precise control of internal pressure to ensure operational safety and mitigate product loss. Heat ingress through insulation and support structures induces phase change at the liquid–vapour interface, generating boil-off gas that elevates tank pressure in a process known as self-pressurization. The interplay between thermal stratification, vapour enthalpy and liquid density gradients further governs pressure evolution. To maintain structural integrity and optimise storage efficiency, modern systems deploy active measures including controlled venting, gas compressors and pressurant injection loops. Computational models ranging from low-order lumped-element schemes to high-fidelity large-eddy simulations have advanced understanding of transient pressure response, influence of tank geometry and material properties on pressure rise rates, and scale-dependent behaviour. Insights from these studies inform the design of zero-boil-off systems, emergency relief protocols and the integration of cryogenic tanks in sectors from space propulsion to maritime fuelling, underscoring the global significance of pressurization dynamics in the transition to low-carbon energy carriers.
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Pressurization Dynamics in Cryogenic Storage Tanks publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in pressurization dynamics in cryogenic storage tanks across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Boil-off gas (BOG): Vapour produced by heat ingress into a cryogenic liquid, causing an increase in tank pressure.
Self-pressurization (autogenous pressurization): Pressure build-up in a closed cryogenic tank due to phase change from liquid to vapour without external pressurant.
Thermal stratification: Temperature layering within the liquid caused by buoyancy-driven flows and heat fluxes at the liquid–vapour interface.
Ullage: The vapour-filled volume above the liquid in a cryogenic tank, critical for pressure management and phase equilibrium.
Vapour–liquid equilibrium (VLE): Thermodynamic balance defining the pressure, temperature and composition at which liquid and vapour phases coexist.
Pressurant gas: Inert or compatible gas injected into the tank ullage to maintain pressure during liquid withdrawal or thermal transients.
References
- Modelling of Liquid Hydrogen Boil-Off. Energies (2022).
- Model based analysis of the boil-off gas management and control for LNG fuelled vessels. Energy (2022).
- The Effect of Liquid Hydrogen Tank Size on Self-Pressurization and Constant-Pressure Venting. Hydrogen (2023).
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