Cryoshelter’s Introduces Second Generation LNG Tanks to Market

Cryoshelter GmbH, an Austrian-based LNG technology company, has introduced its Second Generation LNG tank for heavy duty trucks. Cryoshelter says the Second Generation tank reduces the overall total cost of ownership by providing benefits and options that address the key performance.

The innovative Cryoshelter cryogenic thermal insulation system increases fuel capacity by reducing the thickness of the insulation gap while matching the thermal performance of today’s superinsulation systems. The tank’s cryogenic thermal insulation system relies on two key innovations built into the vacuum space in between the cryogenic inner tank and the surrounding outer vacuum shell.

One key innovation is the Inner Tank Support (ITS) (patents pending), the structural connection between the inner tank and the outer shell. The Cryoshelter ITS lowers the heat losses while improving the load bearing capacity by its design and location. The efficiency of the ITS allows the use of the same modular parts so tanks can be built to specification for a wide range of different sizes – from 70 to 200 gallons.

The second technical innovation is the Cryoshelter Shield Technology, providing ten times the specific reflective thermal insulation capacity as multi-layer-insulation technologies used in current state-of-the-art LNG tanks. The shield technology’s patented suspension system reduces the insulation gap, which in turn increases the fuel capacity up to 20 percent. The overall efficiency of Cryoshelter’s thermal insulation systems leaves enough space to further improve the insulation performance for extended hold time options – keeping the fuel cold longer without increasing the insulation gap.

Unlike many LNG tanks, Cryoshelter places the manifold housing – fuel connector, safety valves, etc. – on the side of the tank instead of at the end for more convenient operation and maintenance.  Moving the valves and controls from the end of the tank adds up to 10 percent fuel capacity.

Cryoshelter says the new tank has the largest fuel capacity within a given frame space—adding up to 30 percent more fuel on board and providing extended range. The Shield Technology increases hold time to more than double the five-day statutory requirement for ‘hold time’ prior to venting.

“We are excited about the breadth and volume of the interest already shown by truck manufacturers and fleet operators in the innovative Cryoshelter LNG tank,” said Dr. Matthias Rebernik, Cryoshelter CEO. “As the market expands Cryoshelter will continue to work on additional technical enhancements to the tank system to meet the needs of the truck industry.”

The Cryoshelter tank has been certified to the UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) Regulation 110 (R110). Certification to R110 assures full and reliable quality assurance all along the manufacturing supply chain, which also includes certification to ISO-9001. Additional durability and functional testing also has been done and is ongoing, as required by truck manufacturers to meet their specifications beyond R110.

The pathway to certification was supported by a $1.8 million grant from the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 program. Having completed the last step in the pre-commercialization certification process Cryoshelter now will ramp up its industrialization efforts, focusing on the retrofit LNG truck market while continuing to address the truck manufacturers in Europe.