(49c) Hydrogen Ignition Probabilities

Hydrogen is expected to play a key role in the transition to a more sustainable low carbon energy system. As technologies are being developed in producing and handling hydrogen, ensuring safety is critical due to hydrogen’s unique properties compared to those of traditional fuels. Hydrogen has a wide flammability range and low ignition probability which causes an increased risk of fire and explosion, particularly the transition from a deflagration to detonation upon ignition due to its high burning velocity. Therefore, identifying the probabilities of ignition of hydrogen and subsequence consequences upon ignition is a key factor in the risk assessment involving hydrogen handling and operation. This presentation discusses hydrogen ignition probabilities and proposal for the path forward.