MSc thesis. 30 hp - Transport of hydrogen energy: Liquid hydrogen & ammonia

Scania is one of the leading European manufacturers of heavy-duty vehicles. The 2023 global sales were 91'700 trucks, 13'900 engines and 5'100 buses, with 40 % of the total outside Europe. When it comes to global warming, we already contribute to the necessary reduction of fossil CO2 emissions with a portfolio of solutions for electrification, biofuels and hydrogen fuel, to serve different customer needs in different sales regions.

Background:

The fuel energy of low-carbon hydrogen from renewable or nuclear sources, from geologic reservoirs ("natural hydrogen") or from fossil methane with carbon capture and storage can be transported amongst others as liquid hydrogen or as ammonia.

Liquid hydrogen offers the advantage of direct usage as fuel without additional conversion losses. Downsides are a low volumetric energy density and the need for expensive tanks for -253 °C at 0 bar-gauge.

The established bulk chemical ammonia, synthesised with hydrogen and extracted atmospheric nitrogen, can be transported as liquid from -34 °C at 0 bar-g to +65 °C at 29 bar-g. Its advantages are a high volumetric energy density and comparatively cheap tanks. The disadvantages are ammonia's slight toxicity, comparable to carbon monoxide, and its adverse combustion properties.

In this M.Sc. thesis project (30 hp) for one student, the fuel energy transport cost [money / energy] between hydrogen production outlet and vehicle tank inlet shall be elaborated for liquid hydrogen and for ammonia. For liquid hydrogen a first cost estimate is available from a previous M.Sc. thesis (urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-323865), but without the hydrogen refuelling station. For ammonia, the fuel energy supply chain needs to be elaborated from scratch.

In addition, the greenhouse gas emissions from leakage of hydrogen and ammonia during gas processing and transport shall be investigated.

Target:

The outcome shall be a public English thesis with a techno-economic assessment of the fuel energy transport cost and supply chains for liquid hydrogen and for ammonia. The thesis shall also serve as technical report for Traton, thus for the companies MAN, Navistar and Scania.

Assignment:

Literature research on supply cost for low-carbon hydrogen and for extracted atmospheric nitrogen.

Literature research on hydrogen liquefaction and on ammonia production via the Haber-Bosch synthesis.

Investigation of technology and cost for tank ships, tank cars, tank trailers and refuelling stations for liquid hydrogen and for ammonia.

Update of the above mentioned first cost estimate for the liquid hydrogen supply chain, addition of the hydrogen refuelling stations.

Elaboration of technology and cost of an ammonia supply chain, between hydrogen production outlet and vehicle tank inlet.

Parameter variation of the fuel energy cost "into vehicle tank" [money / energy] for liquid hydrogen and for ammonia, depending amongst others on the cost for hydrogen production, which are an input to the investigation.

Elaboration of the greenhouse gas emission from gas leakage of hydrogen and ammonia.

Presenting and reporting of the intermediate and final results.

Education & organisation:

Studies: Chemical Engineering; Energy engineering; Industrial engineering.

Is a must: Knowledge of chemical processes, thermodynamics, engineering economics.

Is a bonus: Knowledge of cryogenics, Haber-Bosch process.

Number of students: One

Start of work: 2025-02-03

Estimated duration: 22 weeks, until 2025-07-04. In average min. 2 office-days per week

Language of work: English & Swedish

Location of work: Södertälje, Stockholm county, Sweden

Students from outside Greater Stockholm can rent a subsidized Scania apartment in Södertälje.

Payment before taxes: 20'000 SEK at the start, 20'000 SEK after the final report was approved by Scania.

Contact persons and supervisors:

Antonius Kies, Energy Economy / Range. Tel. 0046 8 553 - 724 24

Anders Jensen, Energy Economy. Tel. 0046 8 553 - 859 13

Application:

Please enclose personal letter, CV and the list of grades from the latest M.Sc. studies.

The applications will be checked continuously.

A background check and security interview will be conducted for this position.

Publication date of this job ad

Until the position is staffed or latest until 2024-11-24