Liquid Hydrogen

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Basics

  • The liquid state of hydrogen
  • Useful as a fuel storage method, and as a Cryogen
  • Often Abbreviated as LH2
  • According to wikipedia "To exist as a liquid, H2 must be cooled below its critical point of 33 K. However, for it to be in a fully liquid state without boiling at atmospheric pressure, H2 needs to be cooled to 20.28 K[3] (−423.17 °F; −252.87 °C)."
  • A Common Rocket Fuel (Usually with LOX )
  • Neutron Scattering Supposedly Uses LH2
  • LH2 is also used for particle physics with Bubble Chambers although they have largely been replacecdd by other technologies

Advantages

  • Density of storage

Disadvantages

  • It's a Cryogenic Liquid (thus can burn people), and requires intense cooling
  • Cryogenic Liquid Boil-Off caused losses, or required active cooling
  • Asyphxiation Hazard (although not as bad as heavier gasses, in large enough volumes, it can displace oxygen, thus ventillation and/or sensors are needed
  • As with any hydrogen, a pure flame is invisible in the visible spectrum, and thus may be harder to detect
  • As spacex's starship tests have shown, poorly welded/constructed tanks have a nasty habit of bursting and/or exploding

See Also

Useful Links

  • The Wikipedia Page on Liquid Hydrogen
  • Archival Footage of 1960's Testing on Liquid Hydrogen Storage Hazards by the USA Air Force (shows leaks, and fires, and compares them to similar JP-4, and gasoline etc events) (Didn't detonate in small leaks (1+1/4 gal), only a slow flame (still a flame, but not an explosion) ,similar for 32 gallon (albeit more flame), All in all, without pre-mixing detonation does not happen, in premixed, little to no overpressure was observed, but the thermal radiation may start fires
    • All in all less bad than an ignition event of liquid hydrocarbons (If not mixed with air/oxygen, if ignighted NOT by an explosive, etc), but is easier to ignite
    • Granted this is OLD, and the main measurements were with film? NEEDS MORE RESEARCh