SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS IN THE DESIGN OF HYDROGEN-POWERED VEHICLES

There have been several recent and innovative demonstrations of hydrogen-fueled road vehicles. Hydrogen's high energy content, renewability, and virtually pollutant-free oxidation properties make it attractive as a fuel to provide mechanical energy using conversion devices such as an engine or a fuel cell (with an electric motor). This paper discusses the unique flammability properties of hydrogen as well as its unique migration (leak) properties, and how they influence the design of the fuel storage system and the conversion device, as well as the design of many aspects of the vehicle itself Materials selection and piping selection are also discussed. These considerations influence not only the design, but also the procedures utilized over most aspects of the vehicle's useful life. These include fueling, parked or stored condition, servicing and scrapping.