INERIS, A PUBLIC EXPERT IN RISK PREVENTION, GUIDING INNOVATION
Guidelines for energy transition are included in its Objectives and Performance Agreement. Hydrogen is known as an alternative energy source to fossil fuels, with enormous potential. Its emission neutrality (NOx, nanoparticles) compared to other vectors makes it an energy of the future. In the case of the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector, it has been demonstrated that safety is an essential factor for an emerging technology’s successful growth over the long term. Taking risks into account very early on in an innovation procedure therefore contributes to its success.
CHARACTERISTICS OF HYDROGEN, A NEW ENERGY VECTOR
Hydrogen is a synthetic gas and an industrial product. Risks associated with its production and use are known and controlled.
Extending the use of hydrogen to other applications or uses, such as automotive transport, would necessitate the establishment of new benchmarks and standards, and an adjustment of the regulatory framwork. This raises two challenges:
- As it is highly flammable, hydrogen must be stored in suitable and safe tanks, regardless of its form (whether compressed gas, cryogenic liquid or in “solid” form and absorbed on a metal hydride).
- Hydrogen has a propensity to leak, given its low molecular size. In a confined environment, effective and reliable ventilation is essential to avoid an explosion risk.
INERIS EXPERTISE IN THIS AREA
Ineris is today one of the few entities in France and Europe capable of carrying out hydrogen explosion tests. The Institute's work is largely concerned with the study and modeling of gas leaks (in confined and open conditions), the safety of hydrogen storage and distribution, in order to contribute to the development of a regulatory framework. Whether that work relates to mobile or stationary applications, it also helps to better identify and assess risks associated with hydrogen manufacturing and usage procedures, to provide thorough answers to developers in order to develop systems that are intrinsically safer.
Storage risk analysis
In addition to providing technological and regulatory monitoring, Ineris has identified and listed the main risks and hazards associated with hydrogen storage technologies:
• For all forms of storage technology, hydrogen gas leaks have varying consequences depending on the pressure at which the hydrogen is stored.
Ineris has carried out tests, partly to study the dispersion of hydrogen, and partly to study the means to prevent any build up of explosive conditions (detection and ventilation systems).
• For the storage of hydrogen under pressure, effects associated with the bursting of a tank: aerial excess pressure and projection of fragments.
Ineris conducted tests on high-pressure tanks that were subjected to damage-testing (by fire, gun shot, falls) in order to assess how their structure can remain intact in an accident scenario and to assess the reliability levels of the safety devices.
• For storage of hydrogen in solid form, the accidental contact of metal hydride compounds with air, water or other incompatible agents can lead to severe fire risks.
These hydrides were subjected to conditions similar to those encountered in an accident scenario. The first results relating to the tested hydrides, revealed no proof of reactions in the open air and in water.
• For cryogenic storage, which is a storage method that is still under development, INERIS is interested in assessing the influence of very low temperatures on the flammable properties of hydrogen.
Support for the establishment of a normative framework
Ineris contributes to works monitoring the implemention of new standards for new technologies. The institute shares and values its technical expertise, stores technical data from its partners, and promotes France's position in the market. These expert meetings also give rise to broad technical guidelines that are emerging at a global, European and French level.
International cooperation and partnerships
In 2015, Ineris signed a partnership agreement with its German counterpart, the BAM for a five year period: setting up a joint R&D project, coordinating responses to calls for project proposals, and the sharing of skills. The hydrogen component of this partnership relates to the flammability and behavior of materials placed in contact with hydrogen, depending on the percentage of the hydrogen/natural gas mixture.
Ineris’ contribution to the GRHYD demonstrator
The institute used its ongoing programs to support the GRHYD project on safety issues for the production, storage, post-injection (or post-mixing) of hydrogen. The GRHYD (Network management by hydrogen injection to decarbonize energies) demonstrator, shall be launched on June 11. It is one of the largest programs of its kind in France and Europe. Developed in the Dunkirk region, it is the first pilot site for hydrogen injection into the natural gas network in France. The Institute first participated in a preliminary risk analysis of the entire project and then worked on the development of a Risk Control Measures (MMR) strategy.
