On the use of hydrogen in confined spaces: Results from the internal project InsHyde

The paper presents an overview of the main achievements of the internal project InsHyde of the HySafe NoE. The scope of InsHyde was to investigate realistic small-medium indoor hydrogen leaks and provide recommendations for the safe use/storage of indoor hydrogen systems. Additionally, InsHyde served to integrate proposals from HySafe work packages and existing external research projects towards a common effort. Following a state of the art review, InsHyde activities expanded into experimental and simulation work. Dispersion experiments were performed using hydrogen and helium at the INERIS gallery facility to evaluate short and long term dispersion patterns in garage like settings. A new facility (GARAGE) was built at CEA and dispersion experiments were performed there using helium to evaluate hydrogen dispersion under highly controlled conditions. In parallel, combustion experiments were performed by FZK to evaluate the maximum amount of hydrogen that could be safely ignited indoors. The combustion experiments were extended later on by KI at their test site, by considering the ignition of larger amounts of hydrogen in obstructed environments outdoors. An evaluation of the performance of commercial hydrogen detectors as well as inter-lab calibration work was jointly performed by JRC, INERIS and BAM. Simulation work was as intensive as the experimental work with participation from most of the partners. It included pre-test simulations, validation of the available CFD codes against previously performed experiments with significant CFD code inter-comparisons, as well as CFD application to investigate specific realistic scenarios. Additionally an evaluation of permeation issues was performed by VOLVO, CEA, NCSRD and UU, by combining theoretical, computational and experimental approaches with the results being presented to key automotive regulations and standards groups. Finally, the InsHyde project concluded with a public document providing initial guidance on the use of hydrogen in confined spaces. (c) 2010 Professor T. Nejat Veziroglu. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Towards minimising hazards in hydrogen and fuel cell stationary applications : key findings of modelling and experimental work in the HYPER project

There are a number of hazards associated with small stationary hydrogen and fuel cell applications. In order to reduce the hazards of such installations, and provide guidance to installers, consequence analysis of a number of potential accident scenarios has been carried out with the scope of the EC FP6 project HYPER. This paper summarises the modelling and experimental programme in the project and a number of key results are presented. The relevance of these findings to installation permitting guidelines (IPG) for small stationary hydrogen and fuel cell systems is discussed. A key aim of the activities was to generate newscientific data and knowledge in the field of hydrogen safety, and, where possible, use this data as a basis to support the recommendations in the IPG. The structure of the paper mirrors that of the work programme within HYPER in that the work is described in terms of a number of relevant scenarios as follows: 1. high pressure releases, 2. small foreseeable releases, 3. catastrophic releases, and 4. the effects of walls and barriers. Within each scenario the key objectives, activities and results are discussed. The work on high pressure releases sought to provide information for informing safety distances for high-pressure components and associated fuel storage, activities on both ignited and unignited jets are reported. A study on small foreseeable releases, which could potentially be controlled through forced or natural ventilation, is described. The aim of the study was to determine the ventilation requirements in enclosures containing fuel cells, such that in the event of a foreseeable leak, the concentration of hydrogen in air for zone 2 ATEX is not exceeded. The hazard potential of a possibly catastrophic hydrogen leakage inside a fuel cell cabinet was investigated using a generic fuel cell enclosure model. The rupture of the hydrogen feed line inside the enclosure was considered and both dispersion and combustion of the resulting hydrogen air mixture were examined for a range of leak rates, and blockage ratios. Key findings of this study are presented. Finally the scenario on walls and barriers is discussed; a mitigation strategy to potentially reduce the exposure to jet flames is to incorporate barriers around hydrogen storage equipment. Conclusions of experimental and modelling work which aim to provide guidance on configuration and placement of these walls to minimise overall hazards is presented

Hydrogen and fuel cell stationary applications: Key findings of modelling and experimental work in the HYPER project

International audienceThis paper summarises the results of the research programme in the HYPER project (Installation Permitting Guidance for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Stationary Applications) [1]. The relevance of scientific findings to installation permitting guidelines (IPG) for small stationary hydrogen and fuel cell systems is discussed. A key aim of the activities was to generate new knowledge in the field of hydrogen safety, and, where possible, use this data as a basis to support the recommendations in the IPG. The structure of the paper mirrors the HYPER research programme in that the work is described in terms of the following relevant scenarios: 1) high pressure releases, 2) small foreseeable releases, 3) catastrophic releases, and 4) the effects of walls and barriers. Within each scenario the key objectives, activities and results are presented. The work on high pressure releases sought to provide information for informing safety distances for high pressure components and associated fuel storage, activities on both ignited and unignited jets are reported. A study on small foreseeable releases, which could potentially be controlled through natural or forced ventilation, is described. The aim of the study was to determine the ventilation requirements in enclosures containing fuel cells, such that in the event of a foreseeable leak, the concentration of hydrogen in air for zone 2 ATEX [2] is not exceeded. The hazard potential of a possibly catastrophic hydrogen leakage inside a fuel cell cabinet was investigated using a generic fuel cell enclosure model. The rupture of the hydrogen feed line inside the enclosure was considered and both dispersion and combustion of the resulting hydrogen-air mixture were examined for a range of leak rates, and blockage ratio

Hydrogen and fuel cell stationary applications : key findings of modelling and experimental work in the hyper project

International audienceThis paper summarises the results of the research programme in the HYPER project (Installation Permitting Guidance for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Stationary Applications) [1].The relevance of scientific findings to installation permitting guidelines (IPG) for small stationary hydrogen and fuel cell systems is discussed. A key aim of the activities was to generate new knowledge in the field of hydrogen safety, and, where possible, use this datas a basis to support the recommendations in the IPG. The structure of the paper mirrors the HYPER research programme in that the work is described in terms of the following relevant scenarios: 1) high pressure releases, 2) small foreseeable releases, 3) catastrophic releases, and 4) the effects of walls and barriers. Within each scenario the key objectives, activities and results are presented. The work on high pressure releases sought to provide information for informing safety distances for high pressure components and associated fuel storage, activities on both ignited and unignited jets are reported. A study on small foreseeable releases, which could potentially be controlled through natural or forced ventilation, is described. The aim of the study was to determine the ventilation requirements in enclosures containing fuel cells, such that in the event of a foreseeable leak, the concentration of hydrogen in air for zone 2 ATEX [2] is not exceeded. The hazard potential of a possibly catastrophic hydrogen leakage inside a fuel cell cabinet was investigated using a generic fuel cell enclosure model. The rupture of the hydrogen feed line inside the enclosure was considered and both dispersion and combustion of the resulting hydrogene air mixture were examined for a range of leak rates, and blockage ratios. Finally, the scenario on walls and barriers is discussed; a mitigation strategy to potentially reduce the exposure to jet flames is to incorporate barriers around hydrogen storage equipment. Conclusions of experimental and modelling work which aim to provide guidance on configuration and placement of these walls to minimise overall hazards are presented