3D Risk Management for Hydrogen Installations (Hy3DRM)

The project 3D Risk Management for Hydrogen Installations (Hy3DRM) focused on safe use of hydrogen as an energy carrier. It is customary to adopt quantitative risk analysis (QRA) to evaluate the risk associated with modern energy systems. To this end, many companies use advanced three-dimensional (3D) geometry models in conjunction with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to estimate the consequences of accident scenarios involving fires and explosions. The main goal of the Hy3DRM project was to utilize realistic 3D models and results from simulations with the CFD code FLACS to communicate results from risk analyses. Gexcon and University College of Southeast Norway (HSN), previously Telemark University College (HiT), cooperated on the research activities in the project. HSN conducted advanced experiments for investigating physical phenomena related to flame propagation in complex geometries. Gexcon can use the results from these experiments to improve the sub-grid models in the CFD code FLACS. Gexcon also developed a framework for 3D risk management, and demonstrated the application of the system for a hydrogen filling station. The same framework can be used for other systems, such as maritime installations, and Gexcon cooperated with the Norwegian Maritime Authority and Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL) in the development of a realistic example of the use of 3DRM for a ship. The project represented the Norwegian contribution to the International Energy Agency (IEA) Hydrogen Implementation Agreement (HIA) Task 37 on Hydrogen Safety. Both Gexcon and HSN participated actively in the meetings of IEA Hydrogen Task 37.

3D Risk Management for Hydrogen Installations (Hy3DRM) is an Innovation Project for the Industrial Sector, submitted by GexCon AS and Telemark University College (HiT) under the ENERGIX program. The primary goal of the project is to develop the 3DRM concept for hydrogen installations by utilizing the detailed 3D models used for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. To this end, GexCon will improve and validate the existing CFD tool FLACS-Hydrogen, and implement new functionality to support risk analysis, risk assessment and risk management in virtual 3D models of hydrogen installations. Relevant hydrogen installations include fuel cell backup systems, refuelling stations and electrolysers, but the technology is also relevant for nuclear power plants and other facilities where hydrogen explosions and fires represent a hazard. The project includes state-of-the-art laboratory experiments that addresses critical knowledge gaps in the understanding of turbulent flame propagation in congested regions, including the possibility of realizing deflagration-to-detonation-transition (DDT). Detailed measurements of turbulent flow and combustion will support the development of improved sub-grid models for the CFD tool FLACS-Hydrogen, and thereby improve the accuracy of the consequence analysis in risk assessments. The project incorporates continued Norwegian participation in international collaborative research under the International Energy Agency (IEA) Hydrogen Implementation Agreement (HIA). Both GexCon and HiT participated actively in IEA-HIA Task 19 (2008-2010) and Task 31 (2011-2013) on hydrogen safety, and will continue the international cooperation in IEA-HIA Task 37 (2015-2017).