Speaker
Description
The UK Government has funded a project called the Zero-Emission Multi-Fuel Station (ZEMFS), which aims to develop a novel multi-fuel station that can provide three fuelling options for small craft including liquid hydrogen, compressed gaseous hydrogen, and electric charging. This project is scheduled to be operational by March 2025. Liquid hydrogen (LH2) is used as the basis for fuelling options. LH2 is obtained by condensing hydrogen gas to its boiling temperature of roughly - 262 ◦C, reducing its volume significantly, and facilitating transport and storage. However, due to its low boiling temperature, LH2 is normally stored and handled through cryogenically-insulated compartment systems, and an accidental H2 leak may expose ships and crews to various risks.
The University of Strathclyde is conducting an analysis of existing, upcoming, and future international and EU legislation and policies, as well as standards and guidelines that address the potential risks of H2 bunkering, considering its bunkering capacity and actual range of application. Qualitative and quantitative risk assessment methods will be determined in accordance with hazard types and their significance. The study will investigate the sensitivity of bunkering locations and suggest risk control options as well as optimal safety solutions and best locations for bunkering. Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) will be applied to crucial hazards and specific areas to quantify the risks associated with the operation of H2 bunkering. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations will be used to investigate potential gas leaks, dispersion, fire, and explosion, and Fire Dynamic Simulator (FDS) will be used in combination with accidental statistics and system failure rates. Safety comparison/evaluation of different bunkering solutions will be conducted, and the optimal design/operating solution for each bunkering method will be determined. The practical levels of safety zones will also be suggested. Risk controls and safety measures will be proposed to enhance the safety of H2 bunkering, and assessment results/safety recommendations will be used to confirm/revise optimal safety designs/operations.
References
[1] International Code of Safety for Ship Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code) (IMO. 2015)
[2] Gas Fulled ships (BV. 2022)
[3] Rules for Building and Classing. Part 5C Specific vessel types (ABS. 2023)
[4] Hydrogen as a Maritime Fuel–Can Experiences with LNG Be Transferred to Hydrogen Systems? (Nerheim et al., 2021)
[5] Recent advances in understanding of flammability characteristics of hydrogen (Sánchez and Williams, 2014)
| Keywords | Hydrogen, Quantitative Risk Assessment |
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