Hydrogen Related Fire Safety Issues in Residential/Commercial Vehicle Storage Facilities

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Hydrogen Related Fire Safety Issues in Residential/Commercial Vehicle Storage Facilities John Baker Will Schreiber University of Alabama Department of Mechanical Engineering Tuscaloosa, AL

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Hydrogen Related Fire Safety Issues in Residential/Commercial Vehicle Storage Facilities. John Baker Will Schreiber University of Alabama Department of Mechanical Engineering Tuscaloosa, AL. Objective. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transcript of Hydrogen Related Fire Safety Issues in Residential/Commercial Vehicle Storage Facilities

Page 1: Hydrogen Related Fire Safety Issues in Residential/Commercial Vehicle Storage Facilities

Hydrogen Related Fire Safety Issues in Residential/Commercial Vehicle Storage Facilities

John BakerWill Schreiber

University of AlabamaDepartment of Mechanical EngineeringTuscaloosa, 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 regardto 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 LiquefiedHydrogen Systems at ConsumerSites

• 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 Design

Design 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 parking garage.

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/Recommendations

Using 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 modelingsoftware (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 for residential/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]