H21 Ignition Consequence Research

Completed

Hydrogen and Fuel Cells(Hydrogen, Other infrastructure and systems R&D)

Applied Research and Development

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Chemistry)
PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Metallurgy and Materials)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
Northern Gas Network (NGN) North East

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 June 2022

31 July 2024

ENA months

£356,030

Energy

North East

Project Contact, Northern Gas Network (NGN) North East

Project Contact, National Grid Gas Transmission
Project Contact, Cadent Central
Project Contact, Cadent Eastern
Project Contact, Cadent North London
Project Contact, Cadent West Midlands
Project Contact, SGN - Southern England
Project Contact, SGN - Scotland
Project Contact, Cadent North West
Project Contact, Wales and West Utilities

Project Contact, Northern Gas Networks
Project Contact, SGN
Project Contact, Cadent Gas

In order to address the gaps in knowledge, the proposal is to build and operate an experimental facility to enable the hydrogen accumulation experiments conducted in HyStreet under the H21 and Hy4heat projects to be expanded upon and subsequently researched. A limited number of baselines ignited experiments involving natural gas (or methane) will be conducted to provide direct comparison for later hydrogen experiments. This project covers the construction of an explosion test facility with a minimum of two rooms capable of withstanding significant overpressures (design will be for 10 barg static pressure loading). Within the project, the design, construction, infrastructure and 2 programmes of testing will be included. Building on experience and knowledge gained in previous experimental programmes related to the accumulation of methane and hydrogen in properties, the experimental programme in this project will focus on explosion phenomena. The intention will be to start the programme investigating simple geometries (e.g., single room, no congestion) and build the complexity through twin-room, congested environments towards ever more realistic scenarios with a myriad of variables including ignition position, confinement, number of typical obstacles present, ventilation and door openings, all the while analysing and assessing the programme to ensure that the maximum value is obtained from the budget.  There is a need for a programme of research into the various phenomena contributing to the severity of hydrogen explosions in weak structures, e.g., any property, domestic or industrial, not designed to withstand explosions. The project will investigate phenomena, the limitations of existing knowledge when it comes to natural gas as a fuel and how this might change with the introduction of hydrogen into domestic settings. The project enables further qualitive risk assessment for hydrogen for heat for the UK. The repurposing of the UK gas network with hydrogen to support the challenge of the climate change act has the potential to save £46 billion with minimal gas customer disruption verses alternative decarbonisation solutions. There is a need for a programme of research into the various phenomena contributing to the severity of hydrogen explosions in weak structures, e.g., any property, domestic or industrial, not designed to withstand explosions. The project will investigate phenomena, the limitations of existing knowledge when it comes to natural gas as a fuel and how this might change with the introduction of hydrogen into domestic settings.  The below represents the projects key objectives: Full design and assurance of fit for purpose- Building Ignition Rig Successful construction of Rig Appropriate installation of infrastructure of representative building materials of differing kinds and explosion measurement instrumentation and emergency controls. Minimum of 60 experiments within Phase 1 Minimum of 30 experiments within Phase 2

There is a need for a programme of research into the various phenomena contributing to the severity of hydrogen explosions in weak structures, e.g., any property, domestic or industrial, not designed to withstand explosions. The project will investigate phenomena, the limitations of existing knowledge when it comes to natural gas as a fuel and how this might change with the introduction of hydrogen into domestic settings.

14/10/22