Testing liquid hydrogen (LH₂) systems (advanced)

With the transition to renewable energies and the need to transport hydrogen efficiently, liquid hydrogen (LH₂) is increasingly coming into focus. As industries seek solutions that combine high energy density with safe handling, LH₂ is emerging as a key enabler. This shift brings new technical and safety questions that cannot be reliably answered without controlled testing environments. Key emerging markets and developments for LH₂ include heavy-duty transport and aviation in particular, where innovation pressure and safety standards are exceptionally high.

Manufacturers of storage systems and components can rely on Kiwa ET's expertise and support to successfully achieve their development goals. By testing early and thoroughly, they avoid later redesigns and ensure their systems behave predictably in demanding applications.

There are only a few independent laboratories worldwide with an LH₂ testing infrastructure comparable to that of Kiwa ET. This scarcity exists because LH₂ handling requires rare permits, cryogenic equipment, and high safety standards.

What makes Kiwa ET unique:

• Unique testing environment: LH₂ behaves fundamentally differently from gaseous hydrogen; testing with the actual medium is essential to understand real-world performance.
• Independence and confidentiality: As an independent testing laboratory, Kiwa ET guarantees customer confidentiality (certified according to ISO 27001, TISAX). Independent testing ensures unbiased results, which is critical for regulatory acceptance.
• Shorter development times for our customers: Streamlined testing workflows, shorten the test duration and prevent long waiting times typically seen in LH₂ infrastructure
• Expertise of experienced employees: LH₂ testing demands specialist knowledge to be able to deal with unexpected behavior of the test specimens during the tests.
• Explosion-protected laboratory environments for testing with the original medium (LH₂): These measures enable malfunctions or leaks occuring during the tests to be safety controlled.

In order to comply with regulatory and safety-related requirements, appropriate operating permits are necessary, as well as qualified specialists who work under the strictest safety standards. This ensures that LH₂ testing can be conducted without risk to personnel or equipment.

Kiwa ET supports the development of hydrogen storage systems. This typically begins early in the development chain. Testing starts at component level because individual failures often originate in small parts rather than the full system.

These tests, which begin at the component level, focus on tanks, sensors and materials. Other components such as pumps, valves, level probes, and heat exchangers are also tested. Each of these plays a crucial role in the system’s safety and performance; validating them individually prevents integrated failures later.

The test series with storage systems are designed to systematically check all functions of a tank system and characterize its properties. The functions that are tested include:

• Fueling and Refueling
• long term parking, dormancy, boil-off control
• Defueling, operation, fuel supply
• level metering
• pressure relief function

System monitoringThese functions cover the complete usecycle of a storage system — from filling to operation to standby — ensuring reliable behaviour in all phases. Special challenge – supercritical hydrogen

In general, handling LH₂ poses particular challenges. This includes extremely low temperatures, rapid phase transitions, and special safety considerations. In addition, we have experience in handling supercooled and supercritical hydrogen (sLH2). This expertise is needed because some applications require hydrogen beyond standard liquid conditions, where physics and system behaviour become even more complex.

The test facilities and test benches can be flexibly adapted to the specific project requirements. This flexibility is necessary because LH₂ systems vary greatly in size, geometry, and pressure levels. Kiwa ET uses a flexible modular system of components for preparation and adaptation, allowing quick adjustments and efficient test execution.

• The results obtained are detailed data and test reports. This provides a verifiable foundation for technical decisions and certification.
• The test results form the basis for a safe and functional product. They are essential for market entry and international approval.
• Kiwa ET provides support in planning and defining the test objectives and elaborates the best setup and test procedure in close cooperation with the customer.
• Customers benefit from Kiwa ET's expertise and the continuous technical exchange with specialists throughout the entire project. This continuous interaction ensures that potential issues are addressed early and solutions are developed collaboratively.