Safety of Energy Carriers
Division 2.1
The division researches and develops solutions for the safe handling of energy carriers, in particular hydrogen and its derivatives, in the context of process and plant safety. This involves a holistic assessment of the safe operation of hydrogen plants and plants using these energy carriers. Particular focus is placed on the topics of explosion protection and impact assessments in the event of the release of substances and energy. Combining experimental results (laboratory and real scale) with validated models, plant safety concepts are reviewed and further developed, and impact assessments are carried out in complex scenarios in plants and systems so that undesirable events can be avoided, or their consequences limited. In addition to classic safety scenarios, security aspects are also considered that go beyond the context of process and plant safety.
Another topic is the safety of oxygen systems. Oxygen is not an energy carrier, but in the context of hydrogen production in particular, it must now be used safely in new areas beyond the classic applications. The basic requirement is the suitability of the materials and valves used under the operating conditions.
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Fields of expertise
- Safety-related properties of primary and secondary energy sources
- Explosion protection and accident simulation
- Holistic impact assessment of material and energy releases on a real scale, also in complex scenarios
- Explosion effects on plants and surroundings as well as measures of constructive fire and explosion protection
- Safe handling of oxygen
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Main activities
- Safety-related research in connection with primary and secondary energy carriers, in particular hydrogen and its derivatives
- Explosion protection and safety-related properties of energy carriers under process conditions
- Gas release, propagation, ignition and effects
- Hydrogen free jet releases and flames
- Mechanical impact as ignition source
- Explosive swirled dusts and hybrid mixtures
- Ignition processes of deposited dusts
- Holistic, experimental impact studies on a real scale in scenarios with a focus on material and energy releases (civil security research)
- Safety of non-metallic materials as well as fittings and plant components with liquid and gaseous oxygen
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Range of services/technical equipment
- Safety-related investigations on plants and plant components, from pilot to real scale on the BAM Test Site Technical Safety (TTS)
- Hydrogen free jet releases and flames at pressure levels up to 950 bar
- Explosion venting in vessels up to 60 m³
- Determination of safety-related parameters of gases (e.g. explosion limits, ignition temperatures or explosion pressures) according to European and international standards
- Storage of material samples in hydrogen atmospheres up to 1000 bar and 200°C
- Investigation of safety-related properties of gases at process conditions (up to 30 bar and 300 °C)
- Investigation of the ignition, fire and explosion behavior of stirred-up and deposited dusts and bulk materials as well as hybrid dust-gas mixtures
- Preparation of safety-related statements
- Numerical simulations
- Oxygen pressure shock tests of fittings, hoses and other plant components for burnout resistance
- Reactivity of non-metallic materials under the influence of oxygen pressure surges
- Ignition temperature, aging resistance and flange testing of non-metallic materials in oxygen
- Reaction behavior of non-metallic materials with liquid oxygen when subjected to shocks
- Comprehensive measurement technology for recording relevant measured variables, including pressure, temperature, thermal radiation and gas concentrations in the free field under real-scale conditions as the basis for impact assessment
- Shock wave generator
- Image and video documentation (5K, UAV, high-speed, thermal image)
- Pipe sections with nominal diameters up to DN 300/500, nominal pressures up to PN 2000 and variable lengths up to 44 m, tees, bends and reducers
- Autoclaves with chamber volumes up to 60 m³ with different nominal pressures, operating temperatures and L/D ratios, partly with pressure relief devices and optical superstructures
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Publications
In the database PUBLICA you will find publications by BAM employees.
Publications of the Safety of Energy Carriers division in PUBLICA
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Dr. rer. nat. Kai Holtappels
