Mobility-Oriented Multiphysics, Insulation and Evidence Frameworks for Liquid Hydrogen Storage Tanks

Liquid hydrogen (LH2) storage tanks are essential for long-range hydrogen transport and mobility, but their performance is controlled by coupled heat ingress, phase change, stratification, ullage pressure evolution, and motion-induced interface renewal. This review synthesizes the thermophysical fundamentals, tank architectures, insulation systems, quiescent storage behavior, operational transients, sloshing-coupled cryogenic dynamics, diagnostics, modeling hierarchies, and safety and approval requirements, with the fill ratio treated as a central design variable. The literature is organized through an evidence taxonomy spanning direct operation, controlled LH2 experiments, transitional evidence, and simulation-only studies. Three synthesis findings emerged. First, the fill ratio and motion jointly determine ullage stratification, wetted-wall distribution, and interfacial renewal so that intermediate-fill operation can trigger either boil-off amplification or short-duration pressure collapse. Second, mobility-relevant design cannot rely solely on quiescent boil-off or sloshing-load analysis. Reliable predictions require coupled treatment of thermodynamics, motion, controls, and validation. Third, the strongest evidence comes from benchmark self-pressurization datasets, trailer-route operation, and pilot-scale marine transport, whereas validation-grade motion-enabled datasets remain scarce for large maritime tanks and lightweight aviation concepts. Therefore, approval-oriented LH2 tank design should be evidence-graded, motion-aware, and explicitly linked to uncertainty-bounded verification and validation.