- Fabian Primke (Technical University of Munich) presented ALRIGH2T’s latest validated research at ICEC30/ICMC 2026, highlighting how advanced thermodynamic modelling can improve the safety and efficiency of liquid hydrogen refuelling.
Developing innovative hydrogen technologies is only part of the journey towards cleaner transport. Sharing scientific advances with the international research community is essential to accelerate innovation, foster collaboration and bring new technologies closer to real-world applications.
With this objective, ALRIGH2T participated in the 30th International Cryogenic Engineering Conference and International Cryogenic Materials Conference (ICEC30/ICMC 2026), held from 22 to 26 June at the Daejeon Convention Center (DCC) in South Korea. Recognised as one of the world’s leading events in cryogenic engineering, the conference brought together researchers, engineers and industry representatives working on the future of liquid hydrogen and low-temperature technologies.
On 23 June, Fabian Primke, researcher at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), presented the paper “Validation of a Thermodynamic Model for the Simulation of Liquid Hydrogen Refueling using Subcooled Liquid“, highlighting how validated thermodynamic modelling can support the development of safer and more efficient liquid hydrogen refuelling systems.
Why modelling matters for LH₂ refuelling
Liquid hydrogen (LH₂) is expected to play a key role in decarbonising heavy-duty road transport, aviation and maritime applications. One of the main challenges during refuelling is controlling pressure build-up inside storage tanks, which can lead to hydrogen venting, reducing both operational efficiency and sustainability.
The research presented at ICEC30/ICMC addresses this challenge through a validated thermodynamic model that accurately reproduces key phenomena during liquid hydrogen refuelling, including heat transfer, gas condensation, pressure evolution and refuelling line cooldown. Compared with conventional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, the model achieves high accuracy with significantly lower computational effort, making it well suited to engineering studies and system optimisation.
Validation against experimental data from Daimler Truck AG’s liquid hydrogen trucks, tested at Linde’s subcooled liquid hydrogen (sLH₂) refuelling station in Wörth, Germany, demonstrated strong agreement between simulations and real operating conditions, confirming the model’s potential to support the design of future liquid hydrogen infrastructure
Although the current validation focuses on heavy-duty road transport, the methodology is being extended within ALRIGH2T to aircraft tanks and liquid hydrogen tank trailers, with potential applications in the maritime sector. By combining experimental validation with advanced simulation, the project is delivering practical tools to support safer, more efficient and lower-emission liquid hydrogen refuelling systems.
Sharing knowledge with the international cryogenics community
The session attracted around 80 participants, including researchers and cryogenic engineering experts from countries such as the United States, Japan, China, Australia, France and many others.
For ALRIGH2T, participating in ICEC30/ICMC 2026 represents another step towards ensuring that the project’s research contributes not only to European innovation but also to the global transition towards sustainable hydrogen-powered mobility. Reflecting on the conference, Fabian Primke concluded:
“Presenting our work at ICEC30/ICMC was a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas with the international cryogenics community, discuss how modelling can contribute to the development of future liquid hydrogen infrastructure, and gain insights into the latest liquid hydrogen research from around the world”.
