The Spread of Fire from Adjoining Vehicles to a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle

Japan Automobile Research Institute

Yohsuke Tamura, Masaru Takabayashi,Masayuki Takeuchi and Mitsuishi Hiroyuki.

2

Thermal PRDs are safety devices intended to avoid rupture of the vessels by releasing the fuel.

Fire phenomenon of HFCV is different from gasoline vehicle.

Hydrogen flame

In the process of HFCV widespread, HFCV will cause a fire with other fuel vehicles.

Example:Crash fire between HFCV and Gasoline vehicle

Hydrogen vessel for Vehicle

Type3× 2

Vent in the trunk room

Gasoline(15Liters)

Fire pan 0.78× 1× 0.1m

Type3× 2

Vent in the trunk room

Gasoline(15Liters)

Fire pan 0.78× 1× 0.1m

Type3× 2

Vent in the trunk room

Gasoline(15Liters)

Fire pan 0.78× 1× 0.1m

Type3× 2

Vent in the trunk room

Gasoline(15Liters)

Fire pan 0.78× 1× 0.1m

Type3× 2

Vent in the trunk room

Gasoline(15Liters)

Fire pan 0.78× 1× 0.1m

Type3× 2

Vent in the trunk room

Gasoline(15Liters)

Fire pan 0.78× 1× 0.1m

Just before TPRD activation 1second after TPRD activation

It is necessary to examine the spread of fire with adjoined vehicles including FCV for safety design against fire of parking, tunnels, ferries and car carriers.As the first step, we implemented two fire tests.

1) Fire test on juxtaposed gasoline vehicle and HFCV

2) Multiple-HFCV fire test assuming a car carrier

－ Direct cause of fire spread from fire origin vehicle to adjacent vehicle

－ Fire spread behaviour

7

1) Fire test on juxtaposed gasoline vehicle and HFCV

2) Multiple-HFCV fire test assuming a car carrier

8

9

Fire origin

PRD vent

Fuel cell

Vehicle

0.85m

Vent0 Vent1 Vent2 Vent5

5m 3m

2m 1m

Vent3

Gasoline

vehicle

Cylinder

10

11

When the gasoline vehicle caught fire at 58 min., HFCV had already been burned down.

The adjoining gasoline vehicle was not ignited by the hydrogen flames generated through TPRD activation but by flames from the exterior and interior fittings of the fire origin vehicle.

Time= 0min.

Gasoline Vehicle FCV

Time= 30min. (PRD activited)

Time= 60min.

Time= 0min.

Gasoline Vehicle FCV

Time= 30min. (PRD activited)

Time= 60min.

Time= 45min. Time= 45min.

12

.

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

0 20 40 60 80

Tem

pe

ratu

re [d

eg

.C]

Time [minute]

Vent0

Vent1

Vent2

Vent3

Vent5

Fire origin

PRD vent

Fuel cell

Vehicle

0.85m

Vent0 Vent1 Vent2 Vent5

5m 3m

2m 1m

Vent3

Gasoline

vehicle

Cylinder

PRD activation

The hydrogen flames curled up on both sides of the HFCV’s body.

1) Fire test on juxtaposed gasoline vehicle and HFCV

2) Multiple-HFCV fire test assuming a car carrier

13

14

Fire scenarioFire scenarioThe transportation of vehicles in a car carrier ship is simulated with regard to vehicle placement and keeping all the vehicle windows shut. A fire accident occurs involving only the vehicles parked on one floor of a car carrier ship.

15

FCV(B) 30cm

Taget pressure:70MPa

Volume:40Litter

FCV(A) Fire origin

PRD

Hydrogen

Hydrogen

FCV(C)

Clin

de

r

Clin

de

r FCV(B)

Clin

de

r

Clin

de

r

10cm

Clin

de

r

16

17

The cause of fire spread from fire origin vehicle to adjacent vehicle is the flames spreading from the interior and exterior fittings of the fire origin vehicle – not the hydrogen flames from TPRD activation. However, after TPRD activation, the FCV’s fire spread rapidly.

B vehicle ignition C Vehicle ignition PRD activation 109min. 114min. 117min.

B A

C

The direct cause of fire spread from fire origin vehicle to adjacent vehicle is the flames spreading from the interior and exterior fittings of the fire origin vehicle – not the hydrogen flames from TPRD activation.However, hydrogen flame by TPRD of a HFCV, in turn may activate the TPRD of adjoining HFCV.

18

1)Fire test on juxtaposed gasoline vehicle and HFCV 2) Multiple-HFCV fire test assuming a car carrier

To minimize damage by HFCV fire, therefore, it is important to realize early detection and extinguishing of fire before the TPRD activates

19

20

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

0 20 40 60 80

Tem

pera

ture

[deg

.C]

Time [minute]

U_0

U_1

U_2

U_3

U_4

PRD Activated

GasolineVehicle Ignition

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

0 20 40 60 80

Tem

pera

ture

[deg

.C]

Time [minute]

L_0

L_1

L_2

L_3

L_4

PRD Activated

GasolineVehicle Ignition

500mm 500mm 500mm 500mm

400mm

500mm

L_0

L_1 L_2 L_3 L_4

U_0 U_1 U_2 U_3 U_4

21

30cm

45°

30cm

45°

22

Time(min:sec) Fire Spread Process0:00:00 Test start (HFCV-A’s rear bumper ignited by burner.)0:44:35 Explosion noise in HFCV-A (“A”) cabin; the rear bumper burning down.98:36 Flames visible in “A” cabin.99:31 “A” rear window begins to crack.99:49 Flames spout from “A” rear tire.102:10 “A” rear windows crack. RaginHFCV-B ignition g flames arise.105:24 “A” right rear window breaks.107:58 “A” left rear window breaks.109:09 “A” left center window breaks. “B” ignited at its right rear panel.111:56 Raging flames arise from “A” right rear window.112:36 Raging flames arise from “A” right rear tire.114:22 Explosion noise in “A” cabin. “C” ignited at its front bumper and engine hood.115:59 “B” left rear window breaks; right rear tire bursts.116:53 Raging flames arise from “B” rear window.

117:15“A” rear TPRD is activated; start of hydrogen gas release. Hydrogen flames reach “C” front body and “B” rear tire.

117:49 “B” right center window breaks.117:52 Explosion noise in “A” cabin.

118:46Hydrogen release from “A” ends. “B” body burns down. “C” front body burns; its front tire bursts.

119:42 “A” right rear tire bursts.119:47 “B” rear TPRD is activated (2 min. 32 sec. after activation of “A” rear TPRD).120:43 “B” front window breaks.

122:14“A” front TPRD is activated (4 min. 59 sec. after activation of “A” rear TPRD). Start of hydrogen gas release from “A” front TPRD.

124:14 Hydrogen gas release ends.

23

Rear axis

Front tank

Rear tank

LeftRearTire

RightRearTire

TF_PRD

TF_LowC

TR_LowC

TR_PRD TR_END

TF_END

Fro

nt

Right

24

Rear axis

Front tank

Rear tank

LeftRearTire

RightRearTire

TF_PRD

TF_LowC

TR_LowC

TR_PRD TR_END

TF_END

Fro

nt

Right

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

108 110 112 114 116 118 120 122Te

mp

eret

ure

[℃]

Time [minute]

BTF_LowC

BTF_PRD

BTF_END

BTR_LowC

BTR_PRD

BTR_END

Rear PRD of "A" vehicle activated"B" vehicle ignition

Rear PRD of "B"vehicle activated

After the ignition of HFCV-B, temperature at its rear tank’s end plug (BTR_END) gradually increased.about 117 min. later the temperatures all over the rear tank climbed rapidly, following the activation of HFCV-A’s rear TPRD. About 3 min. after this temperature climb, the rear TPRD of HFCV-B activated; however, HFCV-B’s front tank was hardly affected by the TPRD activation in HFCV-A..

25

Although temperatures on the front tank did not change for some time after HFCV-C’s ignition, the temperatures suddenly climbed after the activation of HFCV-A’s rear TPRD.

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

108 110 112 114 116 118 120 122Tem

pere

ture

[℃

]

Time [minute]

CTFLowC

CTFPRD

CTFEND

"C" vehicle ignitionRear PRD of "A" vehicle activated

Rear axis

Front tank

LeftRearTire

RightRearTire

TF_PRD

TF_LowC

TF_END

Fro

nt

Right