Consequences of Catastrophic Releases of Ignited and Unignited Hydrogen Jet Releases

The possibility of using a risk based approach for the safe installation and siting of stationary fuel cell systems depends upon the availability of normative data and guidance on potential hazards, and the probabilities of their occurrence. Such guidance data is readily available for most common hydrocarbon fuels. For hydrogen, however, data is still required on the hazards associated with different release scenarios. This data can then be related to the probability of different types of scenarios, from historical fault data, to allow safety distances to be defined and controlled using different techniques. Some data on releases has started to appear but this data generally relates to hydrogen vehicle refuelling systems that are designed for larger throughput, higher pressures, and the general use of larger pipe diameters than are likely to be used for small fuel cell systems.