Leak detection for hydrogen gas: atmospheric dispersion and optimal sensor placement

It is possible to store large quantities of energy in the form of hydrogen gas (H2), which can be created from water using electricity from renewable sources. Combustion of H2 produces only water vapour. For these reasons, hydrogen is seen as a valuable route to assist economies reach net zero emissions ambitions. The UK aims to deliver 5 GW of hydrogen production by 2030, while the EU has a 40 GW target.
However, hydrogen is a highly reactive and explosive fuel, prone to leakage from storage and processing equipment, posing a safety hazard. Moreover, atmospheric hydrogen gas has a global warming potential of around 10 times larger than that of CO2 over a 100-year horizon according to the UK government studies. Leak detection of atmospheric H2 is therefore of considerable importance. In this presentation, we consider the problem of optimal sensor placement for leak detection with different spot sensors technologies, using numerical studies to minimise relevant loss criteria. We describe the atmospheric dispersion of H2 leaking from some source location using different models, including a Gaussian Plume for steady-state advection-diffusion, and a jet model for gas release from a pressurised system.

The presentation also includes a wider discussion of how statistical modelling can help facilitate a safe, reliable and efficient hydrogen economy.