Experimental study of the hydrogen leakage and ignition in a ventilated room

Abstract

During the storage or production of a hydrogen gas within a limited space, a combustible mixture may form in the event of an emergency leakage. In order to ensure safety, it is necessary to develop a room ventilation system for preventing the formation of areas in which there is an increased content of combustible substances. The present article considers experiments on the leakage of a hydrogen gas in a ventilated room with a volume of 8 m³. Emergencies connected with the depressurization of electrolyzer or a high-pressure hydrogen vessel during the storage were simulated. The time-dependencies of the hydrogen content at various points of the room were obtained. Data on the combustion of the hydrogen-air mixture in the room with relief valves were obtained from experiments carried out with the ignition of the mixture.