LNG giant Shell has contracted US engineer KBR to work on hydrogen liquefaction technology.
Under the deal with Shell Global Solutions International, KBR will provide technical solutions as part of concept studies “to advance technology for large scale hydrogen liquefaction, an alternative method for long-distance renewable energy transport.”
Also, KBR said liquid hydrogen (LH2) provides a versatile energy solution for a wide variety of end uses including mobility, power generation, industrial and domestic heat, as well as molecular end use markets.
Jay Ibrahim, KBR president of sustainable technology solutions, said the company would “leverage its hydrogen and cryogenic domain expertise with its digital tools to support Shell in this critical early phase of the development.”
Shell has recently joined forces with French LNG containment specialist GTT to develop technologies to enable the transportation of liquid hydrogen (LH2).
The deal with GTT is part of Shell’s strategy to develop a hydrogen energy supply chain by creating “scalable and safe” liquefied hydrogen shipping technologies.
It includes the development by GTT of a preliminary LH2 carrier design as well as an LH2 cargo containment system for mid-size LH2 carrier.
Shell also manages and operates the world’s first liquid hydrogen carrier, Suiso Frontier, that recently returned to Japan after loading its first cargo in Australia.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, the builder of the vessel, said this marked the world’s first completion of maritime transportation of liquid hydrogen over long distances.