Unlike typical liquid hydrogen fueling systems, where the liquid pump is located outside of the storage tank, the NICE system features a unique design that places a submerged pump in the liquid fuel storage tank. The refueling system delivers liquid hydrogen to a dispensing control loop that vaporizes the liquid into a gas and compresses it to 450 bar pressure (6,500 psi) at temperatures as low as -40 degrees Centigrade. This enables the NICE system to eliminate the use of costly pre-cooling systems and gaseous buffer storage; the pumps can send fuel directly to the dispensers and the buses. There is also the added benefit of significant reductions in boiloff and subsequent venting of gas into the atmosphere.
Article Publish Date