Hydrogen transportation and storage for UAV airship feed and lifting gas
Ratilainen, Petteri (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052013699
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052013699
Tiivistelmä
The goal of this thesis was to identify safe solutions for transporting and storing hydrogen at both permanent and temporary ground stations for UAV airships. It also aimed to determine which national and international laws and standards apply to these activities. In addition to transport and storage, the study explored hydrogen refuelling, including related solutions, legislation, and safety aspects. The project was commissioned by Kelluu Oy, a company that develops, manufactures, and operates modern hydrogen-powered UAV airships. In Kelluu Oy’s UAV airships, hydrogen is used both as a lifting gas and as fuel for the fuel cell system.
The thesis explored safety, legislation, and standards related to hydrogen storage, transportation, refuelling, and use. It also examined different options for these purposes and considered suitable solutions for Kelluu Oy.
Kelluu Oy’s current methods for hydrogen storage will become inefficient and costly. Long-term efficiency and cost savings will require investment in dedicated hydrogen storage, refuelling, and transport systems. The preferred solution includes a modular hydrogen storage or trailer unit with integrated refuelling and automation, and for mobile use, a truck-mounted system requiring minimal special qualifications. However, this requires that it is possible to order hydrogen directly from the producer to your own storage facility. Since the hydrogen economy infrastructure is still under development, there may currently be limited delivery solutions available for storing small to medium quantities of hydrogen. The next step is to engage with equipment manufacturers and hydrogen suppliers to find compliant, efficient solutions, ideally a turnkey system from a European, preferably Finnish, provider.
The thesis explored safety, legislation, and standards related to hydrogen storage, transportation, refuelling, and use. It also examined different options for these purposes and considered suitable solutions for Kelluu Oy.
Kelluu Oy’s current methods for hydrogen storage will become inefficient and costly. Long-term efficiency and cost savings will require investment in dedicated hydrogen storage, refuelling, and transport systems. The preferred solution includes a modular hydrogen storage or trailer unit with integrated refuelling and automation, and for mobile use, a truck-mounted system requiring minimal special qualifications. However, this requires that it is possible to order hydrogen directly from the producer to your own storage facility. Since the hydrogen economy infrastructure is still under development, there may currently be limited delivery solutions available for storing small to medium quantities of hydrogen. The next step is to engage with equipment manufacturers and hydrogen suppliers to find compliant, efficient solutions, ideally a turnkey system from a European, preferably Finnish, provider.