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Numéro : 2800 - Year : 2024

Large-scale membrane LH2 Carrier

Michel FAOU, TotalEnergies – OneTech – Paris (France)

Victor LARAVOIRE, LMG Marin France – Toulouse (France)

Olivier RATAJCZAK, Gaztransport & Technigaz – Innovation – Saint Rémy Lès Chevreuse (France)

Fabien BIGOT, Bureau Veritas – Design Assessment – Paris (France)

Reducing CO₂ emissions significantly while meeting global energy demands presents a series of intricate technological challenges. In this context, TotalEnergies, GTT, LMG Marin France, and Bureau Veritas have developed a ground-breaking solution: a vessel equipped with a dedicated LH₂ containment system that can transport up to 150,000 m3 of liquid hydrogen. An exhaustive study has thoroughly considered the vessel's design, equipment, containment systems, and propulsion.

The resulting conclusions are highly promising; they have effectively persuaded all involved stakeholders of the viability of transporting substantial cargo volumes with a membrane LH₂ containment system. This technological approach heavily relies on:

• Substantial expertise drawn from pioneers in energy and cryogenic maritime transportation, who have leveraged their extensive and unparalleled experience to optimize the future of hydrogen transport.
• Optimizations, often based on disruptive innovations, which are imperative for achieving targeted performance.

Thus:

• TotalEnergies has defined the vessel's main characteristics, including its operational profile.
• GTT is currently developing a dedicated membrane containment system (which also includes gas and liquid handling systems), accounting for the complexities associated with liquefied hydrogen; its development has been pushed and optimized to meet the requirements of the vessel.
• LMG Marin France has intricately crafted the 150,000 m3 vessel design, tailored to meet the specifications and the operational profile, seamlessly integrating the membrane containment system and the propulsion system.
• Bureau Veritas (as a Classification Society) has conducted a thorough risk assessment in which the designs were meticulously analyzed, in accordance with the latest regulatory requirements, ensuring alignment with Bureau Veritas rules & regulations.

This collaboration has culminated in, among other achievements, Approvals In Principle (AIP): one specifically focused on the containment system and the other on the overall vessel design. This emphasizes the relevance of the strategic choices made and, consequently, the integrity of the vessel.