In the quest for a greener energy future, hydrogen is emerging as a key player in the global push towards decarbonization. As infrastructure for hydrogen expands, ensuring safety in its handling and storage becomes paramount. A team of researchers from the French National Institute for Industrial Environment and Risks (INERIS) has been delving into this very issue, with a particular focus on understanding hydrogen dispersion in confined spaces.
The researchers, Hector Amino, Lynda Porcheron, Jérôme Daubech, Emilie Ricrot, Annabelle Brisse, Emmanuel Leprette, and Olivier Hurisse, have been utilizing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to study hydrogen dispersion within a 37 cubic meter container. Their work, published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, aims to validate numerical models under challenging conditions, with the ultimate goal of informing safety practices and regulations.
The team’s experimental setup was designed to mirror previous INERIS investigations. They released hydrogen at a rate of 35 grams per second through a 20 mm diameter injector located centrally on the container’s floor. This resulted in an inertial jet, creating a complex dispersion scenario for numerical prediction. To validate their model, the researchers compared the numerical data with measurements taken by three oxygen analyzers distributed throughout the chamber.
The study also involved sensitivity studies, including grid refinement and variations in boundary conditions, to ensure the robustness of the simulation results. The findings demonstrated the model’s ability to accurately reproduce hydrogen concentration distribution, both in empty and congested containers. Notably, the research underscored the importance of accounting for leakages in such scenarios.
For the energy industry, this research provides valuable insights into the behavior of hydrogen in confined spaces, which is crucial for the safe design and operation of hydrogen storage and handling facilities. The validated CFD model can serve as a practical tool for predicting hydrogen dispersion, enabling the development of comprehensive safety solutions and regulations. As hydrogen infrastructure continues to expand, such advancements in safety research will be instrumental in driving the global energy transition forward.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.