You are here: Archives > June 2010 > Fueling station barrier risks Risk Associated with the Use of Barriers in Hydrogen Refueling Stations Jeffrey L. LaChance, Jesse Phillips and William Houf, Sandia National Laboratories Separation distances are used in hydrogen refueling stations to protect people, structures, and equipment from the consequences of accidental hydrogen releases. Specifically, hydrogen jet flames resulting from ignition of unintended releases can be extensive in length and pose significant radiation and impingement hazards. Depending on the leak diameter and source pressure, the resulting separation distances can be unacceptably large. One possible mitigation strategy to reduce exposure to jet flames is to incorporate barriers around hydrogen storage, process piping, and delivery equipment. The risk associated with the use of barriers at hydrogen refueling stations has been evaluated using experimental and modeling information developed at Sandia National Laboratories to characterize the effectiveness of barrier walls to reduce hazards. The effect of barriers on the risk from different types of hazards including direct flame contact, radiation heat fluxes, and overpressures associated with delayed hydrogen ignition was quantified and used to identify potential reductions in separation distances in hydrogen refueling stations. The results indicate that the proper design of the barriers can reduce the overall risk associated with hydrogen releases. Thus, in addition to identifying potential reductions in separation distances, it is envisioned that the results of the barrier risk analysis will be used to help establish risk-informed barrier design requirements for use in hydrogen codes and standards. Download the Full Paper (259Kb PDF)