Direct-hydrogen-fueled proton-exchange-membrane fuel cell system for transportation applications. Hydrogen vehicle safety report

Technical Report · Thu May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/534504· OSTI ID:534504

Thomas, C E ^[1]

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1. Directed Technologies, Inc., Arlington, VA (United States)

This report reviews the safety characteristics of hydrogen as an energy carrier for a fuel cell vehicle (FCV), with emphasis on high pressure gaseous hydrogen onboard storage. The authors consider normal operation of the vehicle in addition to refueling, collisions, operation in tunnels, and storage in garages. They identify the most likely risks and failure modes leading to hazardous conditions, and provide potential countermeasures in the vehicle design to prevent or substantially reduce the consequences of each plausible failure mode. They then compare the risks of hydrogen with those of more common motor vehicle fuels including gasoline, propane, and natural gas.

• Research Organization: Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, MI (United States); Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-94CE50389; W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 534504
• Report Number(s): DOE/CE/50389-502; ON: DE98000309; TRN: 97:005422
• Resource Relation: Other Information: PBD: May 1997
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
08 HYDROGEN FUEL
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
HYDROGEN FUELS
SAFETY ANALYSIS
AUTOMOBILES
FUEL SUBSTITUTION
HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS
COMPRESSED GASES