Publications

To develop safety strategies for the use of hydrogen indoors the HyIndoor project is studying the behaviour of a hydrogen release deflagration or non-premixed flame in an enclosed space such as a fuel cell or its cabinet a room or a warehouse. The paper proposes a safety approach based on safety objectives that can be used to take various scenarios of hydrogen leaks into account for the safe design of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell (HFC) early mar Read More

The challenges and approaches of the safety and risk management for the hydrogen production with nuclear-based thermochemical water splitting have been far from sufficiently reported as the thermochemical technology is still at a fledgling stage and the linkage of a nuclear reactor with a hydrogen production plant is unprecedented. This paper focuses on the safety issues arising from the interactions between the nuclear heat source and ther Read More

This paper examines the flame dynamics of vented deflagration in stratified hydrogen layers. It also compares the measured combustion pressure transients with 3D GOTHIC simulations to assess GOTHIC’s capability in simulating the associated phenomena. The experiments were performed in the Large-Scale Vented Combustion Test Facility at the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories. The stratified layer was formed by injecting hydrogen at a high elevation at Read More

Radiative heat fluxes from small to medium-scale hydrogen jet flames (<10 m) compare favorably to theoretical predictions provided the product species thermal emittance and optical flame thickness are corrected for. However recent heat flux measurements from two large-scale horizontally orientated hydrogen flames (17.4 and 45.9 m respectively) revealed that current methods underpredicted the flame radiant fraction by 40% or more. Newly Read More

Hydrogen leakage in a closed space is one of the causes of serious accidents because of its high detonability. Assuming the situation that hydrogen is accumulated in a closed space two-dimensional numerical simulation for hydrogen oxygen detonation which propagates in stratified fuel and oxidizer with concentration gradient is conducted by using detailed chemical reaction model. The concentration gradient between fuel and oxidizer is expresse Read More

The development of the temperature field in hydrogen tanks during the filling process has been investigated with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Measurements from experiments undertaken at the JRC GasTef facility have been used to develop and validate the CFD modelling strategy; by means of the CFD calculations the effect of the injector direction on the temperature distribution has been analysed. It has been found that the dynamics of the Read More

Hydrogen energy is expanding world wide in recent years while hydrogen safety issues have drawn considerable attention. It is widely accepted that accidental hydrogen release in an open air environment will disperse quickly hence not causing significant hydrogen hazards. A hydrogen hazard is more likely to occur when hydrogen is accidentally released in a confined place i.e. parking garages and tunnels. Prediction the consequences of hydrog Read More

The hourly operation of Thermal Hydrogen electricity markets is modelled. The economic values for all applicable chemical commodities are quantified (syngas ammonia methanol and oxygen) and an hourly electricity model is constructed to mimic the dispatch of key technologies: bi-directional power plants dual-fuel heating systems and plug-in fuel-cell hybrid electric vehicles. The operation of key technologies determines hourly electricity prices and a Read More

Short refuelling time and high final state of charge are among the main hydrogen car user's requirements. To meet these requirements without exceeding the tank materials safety limits hydrogen precooling is needed. Filling experiments with different inlet gas temperatures and mass flow rates have been executed using two different types of on-board tanks (type 3 and 4). State of charge has a strong dependency on the inlet gas temperature. This d Read More

In order to facilitate the application of hydrogen energy and ensure its safety the compressed hydrogen storage tank on board needs to be full of hydrogen gas within 3 minutes. Therefore to meet this requirement the effects of refueling parameters on the filling time need to be investigated urgently. For the purpose of solving this issue a novel analytical solution of filling time is obtained from a lumped parameter model in this paper. According to the e Read More

"The current practise of focusing the periodic retesting of composite cylinders primarily on the hydraulic pressure test has to be evaluated as critical - with regard to the damage of the specimen as well as in terms of their significance. This is justified by micro damages caused to the specimen by the test itself and by a lack of informative values. Thus BAM Federal Institute of Materials Research and Testing (Germany) uses a new approach of validation of Read More

The highly combustible nature of hydrogen poses a great hazard creating a number of problems with its safety and handling. As a part of safety studies related to the use of hydrogen in a confined environment it is extremely important to have a good knowledge of the dispersion mechanism.The present work investigates the concentration field and flammability envelope from a small scale leak. The hydrogen is released into a 0.47 m × 0.33 m x 0.20 m Read More

As the depletion of traditional fossil fuels and environmental pollution become a serious problem of human society researchers are actively finding renewable green energy sources. Considered as a clean efficient and renewable alternative Hydrogen energy is considered the most promising energy source. However the safe and efficient storage of hydrogen has become the major problem that hinders its application. To solve this gap this paper proposes to utili Read More

The test data of static burst strength and load cycle strength of composite pressure vessels are often described by GAUSSian normal or WEIBULL distribution function to perform safety analyses. The goodness of assumed distribution function plays a significant role in the inferential statistics to predict the population properties by using limited test data. Often GAUSSian and WEIBULL probability nets are empirical methods used to validate the distribution functio Read More

Integrity of natural gas transmission systems is of great importance for energy and environmental security. Deterioration occurs in gas transit pipelines due to operational conditions and action of corrosion and hydrogenating media and leads to changes in microstructure and mechanical properties of pipeline steels which influences on pipeline performance. Hydrogenation of metal during corrosion process together with working stresses facilitates a dev Read More

Cyclic Voltammetry Measurements performed on a Cobaloxime Catalyst designed for photochemical hydrogen production.

The paper describes CFD modelling of lean hydrogen mixture deflagrations. Large eddy simulation (LES) premixed combustion model developed at the University of Ulster to account phenomena related to large-scale deflagrations was adjusted specifically for lean hydrogen-air flames. Experiments by Kumar (2006) on lean hydrogen-air mixture deflagrations in a 120 m3  vessel at initially quiescent conditions were simulated. 10% by volume hydrogen-ai Read More

This report summarises key themes emerging from the Energy Technologies Institute’s (ETI) project ‘Enabling efficient networks for low carbon futures’. The project aimed to explore the options for reforming the governance and regulatory arrangements to enable major changes to and investment in the UK’s energy network infrastructures. ETI commissioned four expert perspectives on the challenges and options facing the UK.

This paper is an investigation of the spontaneous ignition process of high-pressure hydrogen and hydrogen-methane mixtures injected into air. The experiments were conducted in a closed channel filled with air where the hydrogen or hydrogen–methane mixture depressurised through different tubes (diameters d = 6 10 and 14 mm and lengths L = 10 25 40 50 75 and 100 mm). The methane addition to the mixture was 5% and 10% vol. The res Read More

This work presents a parametric study on the similitude between hydrogen and helium distribution when released in the air by a source located inside of a naturally ventilated enclosure with two vents. Several configurations were experimentally addressed in order to improve knowledge on dispersion. Parameters were chosen to mimic operating conditions of hydrogen energy systems. Thus the varying parameters of the study were mainly the s Read More

This paper revisits the theoretical concepts of lock-in mechanisms to analyse transition processes in energy production and road transportation in the Nordic countries focussing on three technology platforms: advanced biofuels e-mobility and hydrogen and fuel cell electrical vehicles. The paper is based on a comparative analysis of case studies.The main lock-in mechanisms analysed are learning effects economies of scale economies of scope network Read More

This report contains information on the relative risks of natural gas and hydrogen fires particularly regarding their visibility. The fires considered are those that could occur on the H100 Fife trial network. The H100 Fife project will connect a number of residential houses to 100% hydrogen gas supply. The project includes hydrogen production storage and a new distribution network. From a review of large and small-scale tests and incidents it is concluded th Read More

This paper proposes that whilst the exact pathway to decarbonising heat in the UK is not yet clear there are a range of actions that could be taken in the next ten years to shift heat onto the right route to meet our 2050 net zero obligation. We already possess many of the skills and technologies required but there are a number of significant barriers preventing a spontaneous movement towards low carbon heat on the scale required – a starting impulse is ne Read More

A systematic method for obtaining a novel electrode structure based on PtCoMn ternary alloy catalyst supported on graphitic carbon nanofibers (CNF) for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic media is proposed. Ternary alloy nanoparticles (Co0.6Mn0.4 Pt) with a mean crystallite diameter under 10 nm were electrodeposited onto a graphitic support material using a two-step pulsed deposition technique. Initially a surface functionalisation of the ca Read More

Membrane reactors for hydrogen production can increase both the hydrogen production efficiency at small scale and the electric efficiency in micro-cogeneration systems when coupled with Polymeric Electrolyte Membrane fuel cells. This paper discusses the achievements of three European projects (FERRET FluidCELL BIONICO) which investigate the application of the membrane reactor concept to hydrogen production and micro-cogeneration Read More

HyNet North West (NW) is an innovative integrated low carbon hydrogen production distribution and carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) project. It provides hydrogen distribution and CCUS infrastructure across Liverpool Manchester and parts of Cheshire in support of the Government’s Clean Growth Strategy (CGS) and achievement of the UK’s emissions reduction targets.Hydrogen will be produced from natural gas and sent via a new pipeline t Read More

There is a need for alternative fuels in the shipping sector for two main motivations: to deliver a reduction in local pollutants and comply with existing regulation; and to mitigate climate change and cut greenhouse gas emissions. However any alternative fuel must meet a range of criteria to become a viable option. Key among them is the requirement that it can deliver emissions reductions over its full life-cycle. For a set of fuels comprising both conve Read More

This study is a review of hydrogen station patents using the Derwent Innovation system and also a secondary screening. This was undertaken by the researchers to better understand and identify hydrogen station trends. The review focuses on analyzing the developing trends of patent technologies associated with a hydrogen station. The results of the review indicated that the countries with the major distribution of patents were Japan China t Read More

The possibility of flame acceleration (FA) and deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) when homogeneous hydrogen-carbon monoxide-air (H2-CO-air) mixtures are used rises the need for an efficient simulation approach for safety assessment. In this study a modelling approach for H2-CO-air flames incorporating deflagration and detonation within one framework is presented. It extends the previous work on H2-air mixtures. The deflagration is Read More

The competition between chemical energy release rate and volumetric expansion related to shock wave’s dynamics is of primary importance for a number of situations relevant to explosion safety. While studies have been performed on this topic over the years they have been limited to mixtures with monotonous energy release profile. In the present study the ignition of H2-NO2/N2O4 mixtures which exhibit a single-step or a two-step energy rel Read More

This paper presents a new Fuel Cell Fuel Consumption Minimization Strategy (FCFCMS) for Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) powered by a fuel cell and an energy storage system in order to minimize as much as possible the consumption of hydrogen while maintaining the State Of Charge (SOC) of the battery. Compared to existing Energy Management Strategies (EMSs) (such as the well-known State Machine Strategy (SMC) Fuzzy Logic Control (FLC) Freq Read More

Ignition conditions and risks of ignition on a permissible value of hydrogen concentration in purge gas prescribed by HFCV-GTR were reevaluated. Experiments were conducted to investigate burning behavior and thermal influence of continuous evacuation of hydrogen under continuous purge of air / hydrogen premixed gas which is close to an actual purge condition of FCV and thermal evacuation of hydrogen. As a result of the re-evaluation it Read More

Worldwide the road transport sector typically arises as one of the main sources of air pollutants due to its high energy intensity and the use of fossil fuels. Thus governments and social agents work on the development and prospective planning of decarbonisation strategies oriented towards sustainable transport. In this regard the increase in the use of alternative fuels is the recurrent approach to energy planning e.g. through the promotion of ele Read More

Hydrogen has emerged as an important part of the clean energy mix needed to ensure a sustainable future. Falling costs for hydrogen produced with renewable energy combined with the urgency of cutting greenhouse-gas emissions has given clean hydrogen unprecedented political and business momentum.This paper from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) examines the potential of hydrogen fuel for hard-to-decarbonise Read More

This report shows that low-carbon hydrogen supply at scale is economically and environmentally feasible and will have significant societal benefits if the right localised approach and best-practices for production are used. The report also demonstrates that there is not one single hydrogen production pathway to achieve low lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions but rather the need for a fact-based approach that leverages regional resources and includ Read More

Car park fires are known to be dangerous due to the risk of fast fire spread from one car to another. In general no fatalities are recorded in such fires but they may have a great cost in relation to damaged cars and structural repair. A very recent example is the Liverpool multi-storey car park fire from December 31 2017. It destroyed 1400 cars and parts of the building structure collapsed. This questions the validity of current design praxis of car Read More

Thermal power plants face substantial challenges to remain competitive in energy systems with high shares of variable renewables especially inflexible integrated gasification combined cycles (IGCC). This study addresses this challenge through the integration of Gas Switching Combustion (GSC) and Membrane Assisted Water Gas Shift (MAWGS) reactors in an IGCC plant for flexible electricity and/or H2 production with inherent CO2 capture. Wh Read More

The large-scale storage of hydrogen plays a fundamental role in a potential future hydrogen economy. Although the storage of gaseous hydrogen in salt caverns already is used on a full industrial scale the approach is not applicable in all regions due to varying geological conditions. Therefore other storage methods are necessary. In this article options for the large-scale storage of hydrogen are reviewed and compared based on fundamental thermod Read More

Our gas network is one of the best developed in the world providing safe secure affordable energy to homes and businesses across the UK.To meet the biggest energy challenge of our generation – making deep cuts to carbon emissions by 2050 – it needs to embrace new technology which builds on these strengths and delivers the integrated flexible network of the future. This briefing sets out how it is already doing that. Take a look at our Gas Future Read More

As hydrogen-air mixtures are flammable in a wide range of concentrations and the minimum ignition energy is low compared to hydrocarbon fuels the safe handling of hydrogen is of utmost importance. Additional hazards may arise with the accidental spill of liquid hydrogen. Such a release of LH2 leads to a formation of a cryogenic pool a dynamic vaporization process and consequently a dispersion of gaseous hydrogen into the environment. Several L Read More

This paper considers potential import routes for low-carbon and renewable hydrogen (H2) to main European markets like Germany. In particular it analyses claims made by Hydrogen Europe and subsequently picked up by the European Commission in its Hydrogen Strategy that there will be 40GW of electrolyser capacity in nearby countries providing hydrogen imports to Europe by 2030.   The analysis shows that by 2030 potential demand for H2 could be h Read More

The aim of this study was the syngas production by the gasification of plastic waste (polyethylene polypropylene and terephthalate polyethylene). Ca Ce La Mg and Mn were used to promote the Ni/ZSM-5 catalyst in order to enhance the production of higher syngas yield. The modified catalysts can enhanced the reaction rate of the pyrolysis process and resulting in high syngas in the product yields. Especially cerium lanthanum promoted catalysts can enha Read More

Hydrogen is regarded as a potential solution to address future energy demands and environmental protection challenges. This study assesses the triple bottom line (TBL) sustainability performance of hydrogen as an automotive fuel for Western Australia (WA) using a life cycle approach. Hydrogen is considered to be produced through water electrolysis. Two scenarios current grid electricity and future renewable-based hydrogen were compare Read More

Webinar to accompany the launch of the Cadent Future Role of Gas in Transport report which can be found here

There is a huge quantity of energy needs/demands for multiple developmental and domestic activities in the modern era. And in this context consumption of more non-renewable energy is reported and created many problems or issues (availability of fossil fuel stocks in the future period causes a huge quantity of toxic gases or particles or climatic change effects) at the global level. And only sustainable or renewable fuel development can provide alternate f Read More

CeO2- ZrO2- and La2O3-supported Rh-Pt catalysts were tested to assess their ability to catalyze the steam reforming of ethanol (SRE) for H2 production. SRE activity tests were performed using EtOH:H2O:N2 (molar ratio 1:3:51) at a gaseous space velocity of 70600 h−1 between 400 and 700 °C at atmospheric pressure. The SRE stability of the catalysts was tested at 700 °C for 27 h time on stream under the same conditions. RhPt/CeO2 which showed the Read More

A renewables-based energy transition promises to deliver vast socio-economic benefits to countries across Africa improving energy access creating jobs and boosting energy security. To realise these benefits African countries have an opportunity to leapfrog fossil fuel technologies to a more sustainable climate-friendly power strategy aligned with the Paris Agreement and low-carbon growth.The Renewable Energy Transition in Africa jointly prepared by Ge Read More

A research is under development at the Department of Agro-Environmental Sciences of the University of Bari “Aldo Moro” in order to investigate the suitable solutions of a power system based on solar energy (photovoltaic) and hydrogen integrated with a geothermal heat pump for powering a self sustained heated greenhouse. The electrical energy for heat pump operation is provided by a purpose-built array of solar photovoltaic modules which suppli Read More

Power-to-fuel systems via solid-oxide electrolysis are promising for storing excess renewable electricity by efficient electrolysis of steam (or co-electrolysis of steam and CO2) into hydrogen (or syngas) which can be further converted into synthetic fuels with plant-wise thermal integration. Electrolysis stack performance and durability determine the system design performance and long-term operating strategy; thus solid-oxide electrolyzer based powe Read More

In the present work the effect of artificial ageing of AA2024-T3 on the tensile mechanical properties and fracture toughness degradation due to corrosion exposure will be investigated. Tensile and fracture toughness specimens were artificially aged to tempers that correspond to Under-Ageing (UA) Peak-Ageing (PA) and Over-Ageing (OA) conditions and then were subsequently exposed to exfoliation corrosion environment. The corrosion exposure time was Read More