SIMULATION OF ACCIDENTAL SPILLS OF CRYOGENIC HYDROGEN IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA

There is almost no knowledge about what happens when liquid hydrogen i s accidentally spilled between buildings. This paper reports experimen ts on LH(2) pool formation and gas dispersion after the release of abo ut 650 1 of liquid hydrogen within one minute into an environment simi lar to a residential area. The cloud disappeared quickly without an ig nition. Comparable experiments were made using propane instead of hydr ogen. The risks associated with cryogenic hydrogen were found to be no t greater than those associated with many commonly accepted fossil fue ls. The results will serve for the improvement of the estimation of ac cident effects and protective measures.