Methodology for optimally designing firewalls in hydrogen refueling stations

Abstract

The safety of hydrogen directly affects the use of hydrogen refueling stations and public acceptance of hydrogen energy. This paper presented a methodology for the optimal design of the minimum height, width, and safety distance of the firewall of the hydrogen refueling station under various leakage pressures. The obtained relationship between distances and different hydrogen storage pressures is essential for directing the design of hydrogen refueling stations and firefighters to carry out the rescue. Results from numerical simulation showed that the firewall should be 2 m taller than the leakage hole to prevent the hydrogen jet fire from spreading back. The distance before and behind the firewall presented a linear relationship with the leakage pressure. The specific safe distances behind the firewall were 8.4, 8.5, 9.2, and 9.3 m. The firewall width exhibited a non-linear relationship with the leakage pressure. The specific values were 2.5 m for 35 or 45 MPa and 3 m for 70 or 90 MPa.