Hydrogen Ignition CONtrol

Hydrogen (H2) will play a crucial role in the transition to a more renewable energy system. Since H2 is highly flammable, large-scale implementation of H2 introduces risks related to fire and explosion that must be managed effectively. Effective risk management requires knowledge of H2 ignition mechanism and H2 ignition probability. The aim of HICON is to establish new knowledge on H2 ignition mechanisms and develop new and improved models for estimation of hydrogen ignition probability for industry applications in the hydrogen supply chain. When applied to risk management in design and operation of H2 installations, the new knowledge and the models will contribute to increased safety and cost-efficient safety design and operation of installations in the H2 sector. The project gains more knowledge on H2 ignition mechanisms by: (i) systematic analysis of H2 ignition mechanisms and (ii) experiments on H2 ignition. The research will address different ignition mechanisms, such as diffusion ignition, mechanically generated ignition and electrostatic ignition. Finally, the application of the models in risk management will be tested, and advice for design and operation of H2 installations will be provided.

Hydrogen (H2) will play a crucial role in the transition to a more renewable energy system. H2 is more prone to ignition than other gases, which implies a higher probability for fires and explosions in case of accidental leaks. Large scale implementation of H2 introduces therefore risks related to accidents and safe operation that must be managed effectively. Safe use of H2 has therefore been identified as a central research and innovation need (Energi21 strategy). At present, there is a significant knowledge gap in understanding ignition mechanisms when H2 leaks. Consequently, more caution needs to be taken in the safety design. This may on the one hand lead to inadequate safety design resulting in intolerable major accident risk in the long run. On the other hand, this may lead to overly conservative and thereby costly designs. Finally, this could hamper the large-scale development of H2 as an energy carrier and delay the transition to a renewable energy system. The proposed project will address the described challenges by developing new and improved models for estimation of H2 ignition probability. When applied to risk management in design and operation of H2 installations, the new and innovative models will contribute to increased safety and cost-efficient safety design and operation of installations in the H2 sector. For development of reliable ignition models and enhanced understanding on how to control materialization of ignition mechanisms, new and better knowledge on H2 ignition is required. The project gains more knowledge on H2 ignition mechanisms by: (i) systematic analysis of H2 ignition mechanisms and (ii) experiments on H2 ignition. The research will address different ignition mechanisms, such as diffusion ignition, mechanically generated ignition and electrostatic ignition. Finally, the application of the models in risk management will be tested, and advice for design and operation of H2 installations will be provided.