Hydrogen Energy Systems and Safety

The course content covers the main energy systems included in the entire hydrogen value chain, from hydrogen production (e.g. electrolysers, steam methane reformers w/o carbon capture and storage, compressors, liquefiers), storage (compressed gaseous hydrogen, cryogenic and liquid hydrogen, ammonia, liquid organic hydrogen carrier), transportation (e.g. via pipelines, road, shipping), and utilization (e.g. industrial processes, mobile applications including cars, trucks, ships, airplanes). The focus is also placed on energy systems for energy production (e.g. fuel cells, gas turbines, internal combustion engines).

A comprehensive overview on hydrogen safety will be provided by focussing on: (i) phenomena relevant to accidents (e.g. hydrogen release, dispersion, ignition, combustion, deflagration and detonation) and (ii) their consequences (e.g. overpressure, heat radiation, blast effects, physiological and environmental impact), (iii) basic concepts of risk assessment, (iv) safety measures and safety barriers, and (v) technical regulations, codes and standards for hydrogen safety. Finally, interaction between hydrogen and materials (e.g. metals used in pipelines) and related phenomena (e.g. hydrogen embrittlement), and inspection and maintenance methodologies necessary to prevent the loss of integrity of hydrogen equipment are introduced in the course.

Knowledge:

The course shall give a thorough introduction to basic concepts and approaches related to analysis and evaluation of efficiency, carbon footprint, and safety of hydrogen energy systems used across the entire hydrogen value chain with a special focus on production, storage and distribution infrastructures, and stationary and mobile applications. The main aspects of hydrogen safety are covered in the course.

Skills:

The students shall be able to understand when it would be optimal to use hydrogen technologies in different transport and energy applications in comparison with conventional fuels and batteries. Different aspects such as energy consumption, efficiency, carbon footprint, safety and other technological challenges will be considered by the students in the comparison. They shall further be able to apply the most appropriate methods and models to assess the consequences of different accident scenarios, understand how these can be prevented or mitigated.

General competence:

The students shall have an understanding on the importance of hydrogen technologies in new applications within the transport and energy sector. They shall, in addition, gain an understanding on the potential bottlenecks, disadvantages and benefits when compared with current technologies more specifically with conventional fuels. related to different safety measures.

Lectures and exercises. The lectures, exercises and exam are in English.