In order for fuel cell vehicles to develop a widespread role in society, it is essential that hydrogen refueling stations become established. For this to happen, there is a need to demonstrate the safety of the refueling stations. The work described in this paper was carried out to provide experimental information on hydrogen outflow, dispersion and explosion behaviour. In the first phase, homogeneous hydrogen-air-mixtures of a known concentration were introduced into an explosion chamber and the resulting flame speed and overpressures were measured. Hydrogen concentration was the dominant factor influencing the flame speed and overpressure. Secondly, high-pressure hydrogen releases were initiated in a storage room to study the accumulation of hydrogen. For a steady release with a constant driving pressure, the hydrogen concentration varied as the inlet airflow changed, depending on the ventilation area of the room, the external wind conditions and also the buoyancy induced flows generated by the accumulating hydrogen. Having obtained this basic data, the realistic dispersion and explosion experiments were executed at full-scale in the hydrogen station model. High-pressure hydrogen was released from 0.8-8.0mm nozzle at the dispenser position and inside the storage room in the full-scale model of the refueling station. Also the hydrogen releases were ignited to study the overpressures that can be generated by such releases. The results showed that overpressures that were generated following releases at the dispenser location had a clear correlation with the time of ignition, distance from ignition point. INTRODUCTION In order for the ‘hydrogen economy’ to become a reality, not only is their a requirement to develop the fuel cell technology and associated equipment and infrastructure in an economic manner, but also it is necessary to demonstrate that all aspects of the supply and use of hydrogen can be performed safely. Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. has been operating a hydrogen refuelling station [1] safely as a demonstration plant, in parallel with developing a compact hydrogen reformer [2], (see Figure 1). However, in 2003, Osaka Gas joined the Japanese National Project on Hydrogen, with the aim of carrying out further work to investigate the safety aspects of hydrogen refuelling stations. One of the particular aims of this work was to help establish a suitable ‘safety zone’ around such a station. Figure 1: Osaka Gas’s hydrogen station (left) and hydrogen production unit, HYSERVE (right)

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Experimental study on hydrogen explosions in a full-scale hydrogen filling station model

Evaluation of Through-Thickness Residual Stresses by Neutron Diffraction and Finite-Element Method in Thick Weld Plates

Abnormal effect of nitrogen on hydrogen gas embrittlement of austenitic stainless steels at low temperatures

Effect of helix angle on residual stress in the spiral welded oil pipelines: Experimental and finite element modeling

Renchao Wei

Papers

Residual stresses in the welding joint of the nozzle-to-head area of a layered high-pressure hydrogen storage tank

Using autofrettage technology to decrease stresses in a girth welded joint of a high pressure hydrogen tank

Experimental study and numerical simulation on the SSCC in FV520B stainless steel exposed to H2S+Cl− Environment

Residual Stresses in Girth Welded Joint of Layered-to-Solid Cylindrical Vessels: A Finite Element Model☆