💧 Hydrogen Cryogenic Liquefaction (Claude)

Size cryogenic hydrogen liquefaction plants: Specific Energy Consumption (SEC in kWh/kg LH2), exergy efficiency (% Carnot), Claude expansion turbines, and ortho-para conversion.

⚡ Fortran 90 Engine Double Precision (IEEE 754) ✓ ISO / ASME Validated

Hydrogen Cryogenic Liquefaction (Claude)

Thermodynamics

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👁️ Views 37

⚡ Solves 28

💾 Downloads 500 📦 Fortran Code 11.4 KB

📅 Released Jun 2026

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💧 Hydrogen Cryogenic Cascade (20 K), Ortho-Para Catalysts & Claude Turbines

Real-time visual simulation: Multi-stage H2 compression, LN2 cold box precooling, catalytic reactors, and cryogenic expansion

📝 Configuration & Presets

🏭 Industrial 50 TPD LH2 Plant 🚀 Rocket Spaceport Propellant 🚛 Heavy Mobility Refueling Hub ❄️ High-Exergy Multi-Turbine Loop

⚡ Compression & Precooling Stages

Compressor Discharge P_high [bar]:

LN2 Precooling Temp [K]: Liquid nitrogen bath (~77-80 K)

💧 Hydrogen Feed & Ambient Condition

H2 Gas Feed Flow ṁ [kg/h]:

Feed Gas Temp T_feed [K]:

⚙️ Cryogenic Turbomachinery Efficiencies

Compressor Isentropic Eff. η_c:

Cryo-Expander Turbine Eff. η_t:

Claude Hydrogen Liquefaction Formulation:
• Specific Energy Consumption: SEC = Ẇ_net / ṁ_LH2 [kWh/kg LH₂]
• Ideal Carnot Work: W_Carnot = 3.92 kWh/kg LH₂ (including ortho-to-para conversion)
• Exergy Efficiency: η_exergy = W_Carnot / SEC [%]
• Continuous Catalytic Ortho-to-Para conversion prevents boil-off loss in storage.

📊 LH2 Plant Performance

📊 Output Summary
💾 Fortran Source

Specific Energy Consumption (SEC)

5.22 kWh / kg LH₂

Exergy Efficiency: 75.14 % Carnot | LH2 Production: 1427.9 kg/h

Yield = 28.6 %

Liquid Hydrogen Production Rate 1427.9 kg/h 34.27 Tonnes/day

Net Electrical Power Demand 7.45 MW 7449.7 kW

LN2 Precooling Cold Duty 4290.0 kW Cooling to 77 K

Para-Hydrogen Purity (Catalyst) 99.8 % Ortho-to-para conversion

📈 Specific Energy SEC (kWh/kg) vs Compressor Discharge P (bar)

📉 Exergy Efficiency (% Carnot) vs Cryo-Turbine Efficiency (%)

=================================================================
 THERMOFLUIDCALC — HYDROGEN LIQUEFACTION (PRECOOLED CLAUDE) REPORT
=================================================================
Case Title                 : Orbital Rocket Spaceport Cryogenic LH2 Propellant Facility
Operating Parameters       : P_high = 30.0 bar, Feed Flow = 5000.0 kg/h (1.39 kg/s)
Precooling & Cryo Cold Box : LN2 Temp = 77.0 K, Ambient Feed Temp = 293.0 K
Machine Efficiencies       : Compressor eta_c = 0.84, Expansion Turbine eta_t = 0.90
-----------------------------------------------------------------
SPECIFIC ENERGY CONSUMPTION: 5.22 kWh / kg LH2
EXERGY EFFICIENCY (CARNOT) : 75.14 % (Carnot Minimum Work = 3.92 kWh/kg)
Liquid H2 Production Yield : 1427.90 kg/h (34.27 TPD, Liquefaction Fraction = 28.56%)
Net Electrical Power Demand: 7449.65 kW (7.450 MW)
Compressor Gross Power     : 8079.75 kW
LN2 Precooling Heat Duty   : 4290.00 kW
Ortho-to-Para Conversion   : Exothermic reaction enthalpy removed via multi-stage catalytic beds
=================================================================

📘 Calculation Methodology & Cryogenic H2 Standards

Precooled Claude Cycle with Turbo-Expanders

Combines liquid nitrogen ($LN_2$) precooling down to $80\,\text{K}$ with cryogenic Claude expansion turbines generating refrigeration below $40\,\text{K}$ before final Joule-Thomson expansion to $20.3\,\text{K}$.

Essential Ortho-to-Para Catalytic Conversion

Normal $H_2$ at room temperature is $75\%$ ortho and $25\%$ para. At $20\,\text{K}$, equilibrium is $99.8\%$ para. Catalytic reactors remove the exothermic conversion heat ($527\,\text{kJ/kg}$) during liquefaction to prevent spontaneous storage boil-off.

Key Engineering Assumptions

Multi-stage intercooled hydrogen reciprocating or centrifugal compressors.
Equilibrium para-hydrogen concentration $\ge 99.5\%$ at liquid storage exit.
Applicable to commercial green hydrogen liquefiers, spaceport rockets, and heavy transport hubs.

ThermoFluidCalc Engineering Report