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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
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
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
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
Publications
In the database PUBLICA you will find publications by BAM employees.
