Proactive Emergency Response Strategies for First Responders to Hydrogen Gas Leakages in Vehicles

Abstract

The widespread use of fossil fuels in automobiles has become a concern, particularly in light of recent frequent natural disasters, prompting a shift towards eco-friendly vehicles to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. This shift is evident in the rapidly increasing registration rates of hydrogen vehicles. However, with the growing presence of hydrogen vehicles on roads, a corresponding rise in related accidents is anticipated, posing new challenges for first responders. In this study, computational fluid dynamics analysis was performed to develop effective response strategies for first responders dealing with high-pressure hydrogen gas leaks in vehicle accidents. The analysis revealed that in the absence of blower intervention, a vapor cloud explosion from leaked hydrogen gas could generate overpressure exceeding 13.8 kPa, potentially causing direct harm to first responders. In the event of a hydrogen vehicle accident requiring urgent rescue activities, the appropriate response strategy must be selected. The use of blowers can aid in developing a variety of strategies by reducing the risk of a vapor cloud explosion. Consequently, this study offers a tailored response strategy for first responders in hydrogen vehicle leak scenarios, emphasizing the importance of situational assessment at the incident site.