Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
University of Ottawa
$129,208.00
A flow visualization facility for hydrogen explosion safety research
FY 2008-09
Summary
Funds are requested for a flow visualization shock-tube facility for hydrogen explosion safety research. Hydrogen is the most environmentally-friendly fuel, with water as the sole product of combustion. This makes it very attractive for widespread usage in the transportation sector. However, its ease of ignition can lead to disastrous explosion scenarios during its production, distribution, storage and consumer usage. Due to the novelty of using hydrogen, governmental safety regulations are presently lacking in Canada and worldwide. Because of the wide range of accident scenarios and impracticality of conducting an exhaustive set of safety tests, the common approach adopted by the international community is to develop modeling tools necessary to address explosion scenarios involving hydrogen gas. The proposed facility will permit to study problems associated with hydrogen explosion safety experimentally and address the needs of the PI and other explosion scientists involved in the study of hydrogen research in Canada to validate their numerical simulations using well controlled laboratory experiments.
The laboratory experiments will be set up with the capability of conducting detailed flow visualization of shock waves through reactive hydrogen-air mixtures, jet flame ignition, deflagration and detonation waves. Since the events are extremely fast, the appropriate photographic and pressure recording equipment are requested to provide the required temporal resolution of the phenomena.
The experimental results and developed models will find application in quantitatively evaluating the risks associated with various accidental hydrogen explosion scenarios. The improved understanding of hydrogen explosion phenomena may permit certain types of hydrogen explosions to be mitigated or eliminated altogether. The outcomes of the present research will thus have a direct bearing on the current knowledge of hydrogen safety. This is of prime importance to the Canadian society, industrial sector, private investors and the general public.
Program
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Recipient
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
359170-2008
Name nom
Radulescu, Matei
Department département
Mechanical Engineering
Organization id
28
Institution établissement
University of Ottawa
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2008
Competition year année de concours
2008
Award amount
129208
Program id
EQPEQ
Program nane en
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Program name fr
Outils et instruments de recherche - catégorie 1 (<150 000$)
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
1054
Committee name en
Mechanical Engineering - B
Committee name fr
Génie mécanique - B
Area of application code
303
Area of application group en
Energy resources
Area of application group fr
Ressources d'énergie
Area of application en
Alternative energy resources
Area of application fr
Autres ressources d'énergie
Research subject code
2300
Research subject group en
Fuel and energy technology
Research subject group fr
Combustibles et technologie de l'énergie
Research subject en
Fuel and energy technology (economic geology, use 4003)
Research subject fr
Combustibles et technologie de l'énergie (géologie économique, utiliser 4003)
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
A flow visualization facility for hydrogen explosion safety research
Keyword
NA
Application summary
Funds are requested for a flow visualization shock-tube facility for hydrogen explosion safety research. Hydrogen is the most environmentally-friendly fuel, with water as the sole product of combustion. This makes it very attractive for widespread usage in the transportation sector. However, its ease of ignition can lead to disastrous explosion scenarios during its production, distribution, storage and consumer usage. Due to the novelty of using hydrogen, governmental safety regulations are presently lacking in Canada and worldwide. Because of the wide range of accident scenarios and impracticality of conducting an exhaustive set of safety tests, the common approach adopted by the international community is to develop modeling tools necessary to address explosion scenarios involving hydrogen gas. The proposed facility will permit to study problems associated with hydrogen explosion safety experimentally and address the needs of the PI and other explosion scientists involved in the study of hydrogen research in Canada to validate their numerical simulations using well controlled laboratory experiments.
The laboratory experiments will be set up with the capability of conducting detailed flow visualization of shock waves through reactive hydrogen-air mixtures, jet flame ignition, deflagration and detonation waves. Since the events are extremely fast, the appropriate photographic and pressure recording equipment are requested to provide the required temporal resolution of the phenomena.
The experimental results and developed models will find application in quantitatively evaluating the risks associated with various accidental hydrogen explosion scenarios. The improved understanding of hydrogen explosion phenomena may permit certain types of hydrogen explosions to be mitigated or eliminated altogether. The outcomes of the present research will thus have a direct bearing on the current knowledge of hydrogen safety. This is of prime importance to the Canadian society, industrial sector, private investors and the general public.
