Safety analysis of leakage in a nuclear hydrogen production system

Abstract

Due to its unique advantages, such as clean and pollution-free, hydrogen energy has gradually improved its energy transition position. Constructing nuclear hydrogen production systems is a necessary means to achieve large-scale hydrogen production, and the study of hydrogen leakage and diffusion behavior is critical to commercializing hydrogen production systems. In engineering practice, the distance between the hydrogen storage device and the nuclear power plant is an important indicator to measure the safety of nuclear hydrogen production. To study the influence of gas storage tank's own conditions and external environmental conditions on leakage diffusion, influencing factors such as wind speed, leakage direction, leakage diameter, leakage height, and leakage angle are discussed in the present study. By calculating severe working conditions combined with the above multiple factors, the longest distance of hydrogen diffusion is determined. Finally, peak overpressure impact generated by hydrogen explosion was evaluated, and the minimum separation distance required to avoid safety risks was predicted. The results demonstrate that when the wind direction is consistent with the leakage direction, and the leakage angle is 0°, the higher the wind speed, the larger the leakage diameter and the lower the leakage height, resulting in a longer diffusion distance. Under more extreme and severe working conditions, the diffusion distance of combustible hydrogen cloud can reach as far as 237 m. Once hydrogen diffusion explodes, the minimum separation distance required is about 338 m. This research provides an effective method for safety risk assessment of a nuclear hydrogen production system.