RESEARCH ON THE HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE LARGE SCALE PRODUCTION AND HANDLING OF LIQUID HYDROGEN. Annual Report for January 1-December 31, 1958. (Report No. 3745)
An investigation was initiated to determine the hazards involved in the production and handling of hydrogen. Three types of experiments were conducted to evaluate the hazards of accidental spillage of liquid hydrogen. Hydrogen-air mixtures above glass and stainless steel dewars containing liquid hydrogen were ignited. Liquid hydrogen (0.5 to 7.4 l) was spilled from an open-mouth dewar and gas samples were collected at various times and heights up to 13 ft above ground level to determine the duration and extent of the flammable mixtures formed. Spills of liquid taining liquid hydrogen were ignited. Liquid hydrogen (0.5 to 7.4 l) was spilled from an open-mouth dewar and gas samples were collected at various times and heights up to 13 ft above ground level to determine the duration and extent of the flammable mixtures formed. Spills of liquid hydrogen (0.2 to 8.0 l) were ignited at ground or dewar level or at 5 ft above ground level to determine the size of resultant fireball, radiant energy (horizontal plane near ground), and blast pressure produced. The mode of burning and burning rate of liquid hydrogen above an open container as a function of time, container diameter, conduction region (small burner diameters), and transition region (intermediate burner diameters) were investigated and compared to the burning mode of methanol, benzene, and buthne. The results of studies on the radiation of gaseous diffusion and liquid fuel flames of various fuels are reported as percentage of thermal output radiated. Tests in unconfined spaces indicate that two potential hazards arise from ignition of the flammable mixtures above liquid hydrogen: direct exposure to the fireball formed and exposure to the radiant energyliberated. Equations are presented for calculating the fireball radius and radiant energy radius in terms or pounds of liquid hydrogen. (C.J.G.)
- Research Organization:
- Bureau of Mines. Div. of Explosives Technology, Pittsburgh
- NSA Number:
- NSA-14-007642
- OSTI ID:
- 4201273
- Report Number(s):
- NP-8322
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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