The division researches solutions for the safe handling of the relevant energy carriers of the present day. The focus is on hydrogen as an energy carrier, but safety-related issues and associated problem solutions for the use of other primary and secondary energy carriers, such as hydrogen derivatives and biomasses, are also addressed. Here, the safe operation of hydrogen plants or plants with other energy carriers as well as the safety of processes in technologies across the entire value chain "production - storage - transport - use" are evaluated holistically. This also includes the investigation of their safety-related characteristics and their safe process control. Safety-related parameters as a basis for the safety assessment of energy carriers are determined experimentally and made available in the CHEMSAFE.database. From the combination of experimental results with validated models, plant safety concepts are reviewed and further developed, and impact assessments are prepared for complex scenarios in plants and systems, so that undesirable events can be avoided or their consequences limited.

The production of hydrogen by electrolysis also produces oxygen, which is intended to be used further. It must be ensured that the materials and fittings taken can be used safely in oxygen atmospheres under the intended operating conditions, since even slight enrichments of the air with oxygen can lead to an increase in the rate of combustion of materials. The department conducts investigations to demonstrate the safety suitability of materials and fittings in oxygen.

As a technical-scientific partner, the division works closely with authorities and organizations with security tasks (BOS) and uses synergies that can arise from determining possible consequences in the event of technology failures and accidents involving or caused by energy sources. In the key area of security, the department primarily deals with fire, explosion and dispersion scenarios and their effects on people, nature and infrastructure. At the Test Site Technical Safety (BAM TTS), such scenarios can be comprehensively investigated experimentally on a real scale. Based on the results, the effects are discussed together with safety authorities and protection concepts are developed or adapted to new requirements.

further information

Dr. rer. nat. Kai Holtappels, Head of Division Consequence Analysis of Substances and Energy Releases, Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM)

Contact Dr. rer. nat. Kai Holtappels

Head of Safety of Energy Carriers

Phone +49 30 8104-1210