Effectiveness of a blower in reducing the hazard of hydrogen leaking from a hydrogen-fueled vehicle

Abstract

To handle a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (HFCV) safely after its involvement in an accident, it is necessary to provide appropriate emergency response information to the first responder. In the present study a forced wind of 10 m/s or faster with and without a duct was applied to a vehicle leaking hydrogen gas at a rate of 2000 NL/min. Then, hydrogen concentrations were measured around the vehicle and an ignition test was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of forced winds and the safety of emergency response under forced wind conditions. The results: 1) Forced winds of 10 m/s or faster caused the hydrogen concentrations in the vicinity of the vehicle to decline to less than the lower flammability limit, and the hydrogen gas in the various sections of the vehicles were so diluted that even if ignition occurred the blast-wave pressure was moderate. 2) When the first responder had located the hydrogen leakage point in the vehicle, it was possible to lower the hydrogen concentrations around the vehicle by aiming the wind duct towards the leakage point and blowing winds at 10 m/s from the duct exit.