Advances in Thermal Management for Liquid Hydrogen Storage: The Lunar Perspective

Abstract

Liquid hydrogen is regarded as a key energy source and propellant for lunar bases due to its high energy density and abundance of polar water ice resources. However, its low boiling point and high latent heat of vaporization pose severe challenges for storage and management under the extreme lunar environment characterized by wide temperature variations, low pressure, and low gravity. This paper reviews the strategies for siting and deployment of liquid hydrogen storage systems on the Moon and the technical challenges posed by the lunar environment, with particular attention for thermal management technologies. Passive technologies include advanced insulation materials, thermal shielding, gas-cooled shielding layers, ortho-para hydrogen conversion, and passive venting, which optimize insulation performance and structural design to effectively reduce evaporation losses and maintain storage stability. Active technologies, such as cryogenic fluid mixing, thermodynamic venting, and refrigeration systems, dynamically regulate heat transfer and pressure variations within storage tanks, further enhancing storage efficiency and system reliability. In addition, this paper explores boil-off hydrogen recovery and reutilization strategies for liquid hydrogen, including hydrogen reliquefaction, mechanical, and non-mechanical compression. By recycling vaporized hydrogen, these strategies reduce resource waste and support the sustainable development of energy systems for lunar bases. In conclusion, this paper systematically evaluates passive and active thermal management technologies as well as vapor recovery strategies along with their technical adaptability, and then proposes feasible storage designs for the lunar environment. These efforts provide critical theoretical foundations and technical references for achieving safe and efficient storage of liquid hydrogen and energy self-sufficiency in lunar bases.