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Hydrogen Related Fire Safety Issues
in Residential/Commercial VehicleStorage Facilities
John BakerWill Schreiber
University of Alabama
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Tuscaloosa, AL
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Objective
The overall purpose of the proposed project
is to provide practical guidelines for the safe
storage of commercially available hydrogen
powered vehicles.
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Motivation
Safe systems for the industrial production,
transportation, and utilization of hydrogen
already exist.
Unresolved issuesexist with regard
to the use of
hydrogen in
commercial/residential
applications. Linde AG, Germany
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Motivation
Hydrogen
Wide range of flammability concentrations in air
Lower ignition energy as compared to gasoline or
natural gas
Burns with almost invisible flame Much lighter than air
Hydrogen embrittlement
Molecular diffusion
Leakage
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Regulations
NASA, 1997, Safety Standard for Hydrogen and
Hydrogen Systems, NSS 1740.16.
U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA, Regulations
(Standard - 29 CFR), Standard Number 1910.103,
Hydrogen.
NFPA 50B: Standard for Liquefied
Hydrogen Systems at Consumer
Sites
NFPA 50A: Gaseous HydrogenSystems at Consumer Sites
Motivation
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Motivation
Residential Hydrogen Safety
Environmental factors
Dispersion of hydrogen from likely release sites
Potential ignition sources
Impact on residentialdesign
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Plan of Action
Proposed one-year study
Thoroughly examine existing regulations
Experimentally observe hydrogen
dispersion behavior in typical settings
Develop preliminary hydrogen dispersion
models.
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Task 1a Review of Existing Standards
Review of the existing standards and guidelines as
related to commercial / residential hydrogen use and
storage.
Task 1b Experimental DesignDesign of a test cell that can
simulate the transport
behavior of a hydrogen leak in a residential two car
garage.
Task 1c Initial Computational Models
Preliminary CFD models to be used in the
development of the helium dispersion experiments.
Plan of Action: First Quarter
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Task 2a Hydrogen Sensors
A thorough review of existing hydrogen sensor
technology.
Task 2b Experimental Study
Helium dispersion behavior in on-campus parkinggarage.
Task 2c Computational Modeling
Model helium dispersion behavior in parking garage.
Plan of Action: Second Quarter
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Task 3a Analysis of Helium Dispersion Testing
Determine average dispersion patterns. May need to
conduct additional tests.
Task 3b Fabrication
Build two car garage test facility. Instrument facility.
Task 3c Computational Modeling
Develop initial hydrogen dispersion models to aid
hydrogen dispersion experimental test plan.
Plan of Action: Third Quarter
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Task 4a Hydrogen Dispersion Testing Two Car
Garage
Conduct experiments and perform preliminary analysis
of hydrogen dispersion data.
Task 4c Analysis of Data/RecommendationsUsing information gained
during the course of the
study, make preliminary recommendations regarding
guidelines/regulations for storage of hydrogen
vehicles.
Task 4d Identification of Future Effort
Develop plan for continued examination of hydrogen
safety in residential/commercial applications.
Plan of Action: Fourth Quarter
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Facilities
Combustion and Propulsion Systems
Laboratory
Combustion (holographic interferometer, PIV, FTIR
spectrometer, high speed video, data
acquisitions systems, reduced
gravity test cell, etc.)
Computational modeling
software (Fluent, CEA)
Codes developed
in-house for
thermodynamic
equilibrium
analysis
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Summary
Existing regulations do not adequately address the hazards
associated with the storage of hydrogen powered vehicles
forresidential/commercial applications.
A study is proposed to examine hydrogen safety as it relates
to the residential/commercial use of hydrogen vehicles.
The proposed study will lay the groundwork for the
development of practical guidelines/regulations needed for
the safe storage of hydrogen powered vehicles.
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Public Perception
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Contact Information
Dr. John Baker
Ph: (205) 348-4997
E-mail: [email protected]
Dr. Will Schreiber
Ph: (205) 348-1650
E-mail: [email protected]
