Hydrogen balloon transportation: A cheap and efficient mode to transport hydrogen

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.11.305
• Publication Date: 2023-12-01T20:55:30Z
• Authors: Julian David Hunt; Behnam Zakeri; Andreas Nascimento; Marcos Aurélio Va...; Felipe do Carmo A...; Fei Guo; Geert-Jan Witkamp; Bas van Ruijven; Yoshihide Wada
• Keywords: Liquid hydrogen

The chances of a global hydrogen economy becoming reality have increased significantly since the COVID pandemic and war in Ukraine, for net zero carbon emissions. However, intercontinental transport is still major issue. This study suggests transporting as gas at atmospheric pressure balloons using natural flow wind to carry balloon its destination. We investigate average speeds, pressure, temperature different altitudes this purpose. ideal with are 10 km or lower, pressures vary from 0.25 1 bar. Transporting North America Europe maximum 4 altitude would take around 4.8 days on average. Hydrogen transportation cost estimated 0.08 USD/kg hydrogen, which 12 times smaller than liquified USA Europe. Due reduced energy consumption capital cost, some locations, might be viable option shipping compared liquefied other technologies.