Cryogenic storage safety: Experimental evaluation of insulation under extreme conditions

Hydrogen is recognized as a keystone of the global energy transition, offering a clean, high-energy-density energy carrier ideal for storage and transportation. Among various storage options, liquid hydrogen (LH2) is especially advantageous for both mobile and stationary applications. However, ensuring the safety and performance of LH2 storage systems under extreme thermal conditions, such as fire exposure, remains an engineering challenge. This study introduces an experimental framework, called the Cryogenic High-Temperature Thermal Vacuum Chamber (CHTTVC), designed to investigate the thermal-hydraulic response of vacuum-insulated cryogenic tanks under fire-like conditions. The apparatus enables evaluation of insulation performance, such as perlite and multilayer insulation (MLI), with a focus on thermal degradation, heat ingress, and vacuum stability. Results indicate that combustible MLIs undergo substantial thermal degradation, leading to heat ingress rates of up to 6.5 kW and the formation of hazardous combustion by-products. In contrast, non-combustible MLIs and bulk insulation materials restrict heat ingress to approximately 3 kW while more effectively preserving vacuum integrity. Combustible MLIs also exhibit pronounced pressure increases in the evacuated section, reaching ∼ 6 × 10 4 Pa, nearly six times higher than those observed for non-combustible counterparts. Analysis of effective emissivity further reveals an enhancement in radiative heat transfer, approximately five times, for combustible MLIs following degradation. Additionally, marked thermal stratification develops under both nominal and extreme heat loads, with temperature gradients approaching 10 °C per 100 mm during sustained thermal exposure. • Insulation failure under fire exposure is governed by vacuum loss and emissivity escalation • Combustible MLI undergoes early deterioration, doubling heat flux and shortening time-to-failure • Non-combustible MLI preserves vacuum integrity and delays fire-induced escalation • Vacuum pressurization provides a safety-relevant indicator of insulation degradation • Localized heating delays global failure but produces asymmetric degradation versus full engulfment