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ICHS: International Conference on Hydrogen Safety, 8th September, 2005, Pisa, Italy

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Approach to Hydrogen Society

【 R&D of H2&FC Technology 】　・ Fundamental Research and Breakthrough Technology　 for Fuel Cell Vehicle and Hydrogen Infrastructure

【 Demonstration & Promotion 】　・ FCV Introduction by the Government　・ Financial Support for FCV Introduction　・ Hydrogen Infrastructure Promotion

【 Establishment of Social Institutions 】　・ Regulations, Codes & Standards for FCVs

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Safety Issues of H2 FCVs

【 Peculiar to H2 FCVs 】　 Hydrogen Safety ・ High Pressure Cylinder & Vehicle ・ Leakage and Ignition of Hydrogen ・ Fire Fighting & Rescue at the accident【 Same as Conventional Vehicles 】 Crash Safety High Voltage Safety Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)

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Vehicle Fire Test

H2 Upward(35MPa, Two 34L Tanks) H2 Downward(35MPa, Two 34 L Tanks)

CNG(20MPa, Two 34L Tanks)Gasoline(40L in a Steel Tank)

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H2 Upward(35MPa, Two 34L Tanks) H2 Downward(35MPa, Two 34 L Tanks)

CNG(20MPa, Two 34L Tanks)Gasoline(40L in a Steel Tank)

Vehicle Fire Test

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Heat Irradiation Comparison

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

10 15 20 25 30

　 [ ]時間 分

[KW/m

輻射

2 ]

Many peaksMax 200kW/m2

Time (min.)

Irra

diat

ion

(kW

/m2 )

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

10 15 20 25 30

　 [ ]時間 分

[KW/m

輻射

2 ]

Many peaksMax 200kW/m2

Time (min.)

Irra

diat

ion

(kW

/m2 )

0

50

100

150

200

250

0 5 10 15 20

　 [ ]時間 分

[KW/m

輻射

2 ] at the peakMax 186kW/m2

First PRD operated

Second PRD operated

Time (min.)

Irra

diat

ion

(kW

/m2 )

0

50

100

150

200

250

0 5 10 15 20

　 [ ]時間 分

[KW/m

輻射

2 ] at the peakMax 186kW/m2

First PRD operated

Second PRD operated

Time (min.)

Irra

diat

ion

(kW

/m2 )

0

50

100

150

200

250

0 5 10 15 20

　 [ ]時間 分

[KW/m

輻射

2 ] No heat irradiation peakMax25kW/m2

Time (min.)

Irra

diat

ion

(kW

/m2 )

0

50

100

150

200

250

0 5 10 15 20

　 [ ]時間 分

[KW/m

輻射

2 ] No heat irradiation peakMax25kW/m2

Time (min.)

Irra

diat

ion

(kW

/m2 )

0

50

100

150

200

250

0 5 10 15 20

　 [ ]時間 分

[KW/m

輻射

2 ]

CNG release duration is longer and the peak is larger than hydrogen Max 231kW/m2

Time (min.)

Irra

diat

ion

(kW

/m2 )

0

50

100

150

200

250

0 5 10 15 20

　 [ ]時間 分

[KW/m

輻射

2 ]

CNG release duration is longer and the peak is larger than hydrogen Max 231kW/m2

Time (min.)

Irra

diat

ion

(kW

/m2 )

Gasoline Vehicleintermittent large flame, long duration

CNG Vehicle (Downward)large flame area, highest irradiation peak

longer duration than hydrogen

H2 Vehicle (Downward)short duration

H2 Vehicle (Upward)no measurable irradiation peak

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Subjects of Hydrogen Fire Safety Test

Higher Pressure: 35MPa to 70MPaLarger Capacity: Passenger Car to Bus ApplicationTank Number: Single Tank System, Multi-tank SystemStorage Technologies Liquefied Hydrogen Tank Combination of Metal Hydride and High Pressure Tank Chemical Hydrides Carbon Adsorption etc.

Comprehensive Hydrogen Safety Evaluation Facility

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Hy-SEFHydrogen and Fuel Cell Vehicle Safety Evaluation Facility

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Explosion Resistant Fire Test Cell

Air Air

Exhaust

Silencer

Air Air

Exhaust

Silencer

Exhaust EmissionsAfter Treatment Equipment

Silencer

Air SupplyBlower

Exhaust Blower

External Appearance of the FacilityInternal Structure of Fire Test Cell

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Specification of Fire Test Cell

Inside Dimensions: 16m Height, 18m Diameter, Enough Space to Observe the Flame Propagation AreaWall Thickness: 1.2m Wall, 1.4m Ceiling, 4.0m Ground Floor Enough Strength Against Possible Explosions Suppose the Explosion of 260 liter and 70MPa Tank Air Supply and Exhaust Blower: 750 m3/min. Enough Air Supply to Maintain a Vehicle FireExhaust Gas After Treatment: Ceramic Filter and Dry Adsorption by a Mixed Agent (Diatomite, Hydrated Lime, Activated Charcoal) Clean Exhaust Emission without Smoke or Harmful SubstancesSilencer: Reducing the Noise Level by 80 dB

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１． The repeatability of the tests. Not depending on the climate ( wind, rain, snow etc.)　

　２． Easy to provide the high technology measurement equipments 　

　３． Environmental friendly. Doesn’t emits sound, smoke, broken parts to the outside.　４． Comfortable for the workers.

The Advantages of Indoor Test Facility

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Bonfire Test of Hydrogen Tank

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Bonfire Test of Hydrogen Tank

In every test, PRD was operated and no explosion, no blow-off was occurred.

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Vehicle Fire Test

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Vehicle Fire Test

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Hydraulic Pressure Test 120MPa　Intensifier

270MPa Intensifire

300MPa Intensifire

Pressure Cycle Test: Max 120MPaBurst Test: Max 300MPa

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High Pressure Hydrogen Test Equipment

Oil-lessAir-CooledReciprocated PistonFive StagesMaximum Pressure: 110MPaCapacity: 200Nm3/h

Material: Cr-Mo-Alloy SteelCylinder Thickness: 65mmFilling Pressure: 110MPaCapacity: 72L

Maximum Tank Size: 260LTemperature Range: -40oC ～ +85oC

Hydrogen Compressor Storage TanksAir-tight TemperatureControl Chamber

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Utilization of Hy-SEF

1.Fire Safety of H2 Storage Tank ・ High Pressure Cylinder ・ Liquid Hydrogen Tank ・ Metal Hydride Tank ・ New Hydrogen Storage Technics 　　　　　

2.Fire Safety of H2 Vehicles ・ Safe Method of PRD Hydrogen Release3.Measures of Fire Fighting4.Hydrogen Diffusion and Ignition

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Summary

1. A Comprehensive hydrogen safety evaluation facility, called Hy-SEF, was constructed as a Japanese national project supported by NEDO and METI.

2. This facility can provide high quality information about hydrogen safety, and will serve the revision and/or establishment of regulations, codes and standards for hydrogen vehicles.

3. This facility can also support the development of hydrogen storage and utilization technologies.