Safe Design of a Hydrogen-Powered Ship: CFD Simulation on Hydrogen Leakage in the Fuel Cell Room

Adopting proton exchange membrane fuel cells fuelled by hydrogen presents a promising solution for the shipping industry’s deep decarbonisation. However, potential safety risks associated with leakage pose significant challenge to development of hydrogen-powered ships. This study examines safe design principles and gas supply system China’s first newbuilt ship. utilises computational fluid dynamics tool FLACS analyse dispersion behaviour concentration distributions in cell room based on ship’s parameters. predicts flammable cloud time points when monitoring reach volume concentrations 0.8% 1.6% various scenarios, including four different diameters (1, 3, 5, 10 mm) five directions. study’s findings indicate that smaller pipeline contribute increased safety. Specifically, room, single-point an inner diameter not exceeding 3 mm eliminates possibility explosions. Following diameter, nearly all positions reaches 4.0% within 6 s leakage. While does impact location point activates leak alarm triggers emergency shutdown, presence obstructions near detectors direction can affect it. These insights provide guidance optimal locations systems, which facilitate