PhD Study : Assessment of hazards of high-pressure hydrogen tank rupture using coupled CFD-FEM modelling

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Summary

Hydrogen fuelled vehicles are being deployed as a part of the deep decarbonisation strategy. Hydrogen fuelled cars are expected to provide the same level of experience and comfort as fossil fuel vehicles including driving range of at least 400-500 km, which requires 4-5 kg of hydrogen onboard of a car. Use of gaseous hydrogen stored in composite pressure vessels at pressures 700 bar and higher is the main-stream solution for onboard hydrogen storage including light-, medium and heavy-duty transport applications. Fire resistance of modern composite tanks is about 3-12 minutes, which makes rupture of such tanks a major safety challenge in case of pressure relief device failure.  Blast wave and fireball following the high-pressure tank rupture in a fire represent its major pressure and thermal hazards threatening life and property losses.

Analysis of experimental data proves that the car deformation and displacement (1) expends significant amount of mechanical energy of compressed hydrogen, (2) affects hydrogen combustion and fireball dynamics. Thus, hazards analysis methods developed for open atmosphere tank rupture, including Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models, are not applicable to real onboard storage (often mounted under a vehicle). Analysis of car deformation and displacement is essential to predict pressure and thermal loads on humans and structures, which is typically accounted using Finite Element Methods (FEM).

The project aims to develop a coupled CFD-FEM model applicable to analysis of onboard tank rupture in a wide range of conditions – tank volume, pressure, mounting position on a vehicle; vehicle location (open atmosphere, workshop, tunnel etc.). ANSYS family of Fluid and Structure computational tools will be used as a platform for model development. Experimental data available in the literature and to be obtained in ongoing FCH-JU HyTunnel-CS project will be used for the model validation.

Outcomes of this project will inform car OEMs, health and safety authorities, fire and rescue services about hazards of potential fire accidents with hydrogen-fuelled vehicles.  The research results will feed development of engineering methodology to assess blast wave overpressure and fireball size in the event of catastrophic tank rupture and development of appropriate prevention and mitigation strategies.

This is a 4-year integrated PhD project funded via Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Hydrogen (CDT SusHy). The CDT is a collaboration between the Universities of Nottingham, Loughborough, Birmingham and Ulster. The Centre has four overarching centre objectives:

1.Deliver high quality transdisciplinary training, covering fundamental science, applied engineering, and systems issues and build an appreciation of societal barriers to innovation.

2.Through innovation opportunities, build initiative and stimulate an entrepreneurial mind-set.

3.Deliver “industry ready” doctorates who have a comprehensive skill set and experiences.

4.Co-create research ideas and undertake in partnership with our stakeholders, cutting edge investigations of hydrogen-based solutions to deep decarbonisation of the energy systems.

The Centre is seeking to train at least 67 PhDs across five years of intake to achieve the mass uptake of hydrogen technologies in the UK and beyond.  Further project information is available here.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living

These fully funded scholarships include a tax-free stipend of £16,909 per annum, subject to satisfactory progress over a 4 year period, tuition fees, and a research budget. These awards are open to home/EU and overseas applicants.

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Thursday 31 December 2020
12:00AM

Interview Date
Currently recruitment is open for the next student cohort expected to start in April 2021, interviews are anticipated later this year

Preferred student start date
April 2021

Applying

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Contact supervisor

Dr Dmitriy Makarov

Other supervisors