College
College of Engineering and Polymer Science
Date of Last Revision
2023-05-05 22:13:19
Major
Chemical Engineering
Honors Course
4200 497 Honors Research
Number of Credits
2
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Date of Expected Graduation
Spring 2022
Abstract
The potential of using liquid hydrogen for propulsion is often undermined due to its perilous nature. Hydrogen has a wide flammability range when mixed with air (4.0 - 75.0% hydrogen) and a low ignition energy (0.019 mJ). Liquid hydrogen adds to this high risk as a cryogenic fluid that is to be maintained below -22 K. A liquid hydrogen model has been created in MATLAB that can model various spill scenarios from cryogenic liquid hydrogen vessels. This model takes into consideration the spill rate, spill temperature, air temperature, duration of spill, and air flow conditions to calculate the mass accumulation, pool temperature, pool radius, pool height, and evaporation rate over time. The model can also predict a safe radius for users to abide by if a spill is occurring. This model is verified through an in-depth analysis of each variable and comparison to known trends of cryogenic liquid spills and leaks. The liquid hydrogen safety model can be used with standard operating procedures for hydrogen liquefaction systems to ensure safe practices. This model provides safety advantages to better prepare those operating hydrogen liquefaction systems and vessels that are used in line with hydrogen fuel cells and other hydrogen technologies.
Research Sponsor
Luke Held
First Reader
Dr. Chelsea Monty-Bromer
Second Reader
Dr. Jie Zheng
Honors Faculty Advisor
Dr. Edward Evans
Proprietary and/or Confidential Information
No
Recommended Citation
Gravenstein, Amy, "MATLAB Model to Predict Liquid Hydrogen Spill Characteristics and Safety" (2022). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 1592.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/1592
Proposal Signatures