Exploring experimental tests concerning liquid hydrogen releases

In recent years, the adoption of liquid hydrogen (LH2) has increased significantly in industrial and transport applications, driven by its low carbon footprint, thereby aiding the fight against global warming. Additionally, its high volumetric energy density, compared to gaseous or compressed hydrogen, enhances hydrogen storage capabilities. However, safety remains a major concern due to its physical-chemical properties and inherent hazardous characteristics, especially in the event of spillage scenarios. Therefore, to better understand the consequences of LH2 releases onto or into water, large-scale experimental tests were conducted by Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) within the Safe Hydrogen Fuel Handling and Use for Efficient Implementation (SH2IFT) project at the Test Site Technical Safety of BAM, comprising 75 single spill events at varied release rates and orientations. While the rapid phase transition (RPT) phenomenon was not observed, self-ignition of the hydrogen-air cloud occurred, accompanied by blast wave overpressure and heat radiation, without a discernible ignition source. These findings emphasize the need for further investigation into LH2 safety. Leveraging experimental data for real-world applications provides insights into safe LH2 infrastructure implementation, laying foundational knowledge for addressing safety challenges and advancing LH2 technology.