Experimental research on combined effect of obstacle and local spraying water fog on hydrogen/air premixed explosion

In order to reveal the mechanism of water fog explosion suppression and research the combined effect of water fog and obstacle on hydrogen/air deflagration, multiple sets of experiments were set up. The results show that the instability of thermal diffusion under lean combustion conditions is the main influencing factor of hydrogen/air flame surface instability, and the existence of water fog will aggravate the hydrogen/air flame surface instability. When obstacle is not considered, 8 μm, 15 μm, 30 μm water fog can significantly reduce the flame velocity and explosion overpressure of hydrogen/air, 45 μm fine water fog plays the opposite role. When considering the relative position of the water fog release position and the obstacle, the 8 μm, 15 μm, 30 μm water fog has almost no suppression effect when released near the obstacle, but a significant suppression effect occur, when using the 45 μm water fog. In the field of theoretical research, the research results not only provide an experimental basis for the fine water fog to reduce the consequences of hydrogen explosion accidents, and the optimal diameter range used by the water fog, but also provide experimental reference for the numerical simulation of hydrogen/air explosion suppression in semi-open space, and promote the development of hydrogen explosion suppression theory. In terms of engineering applications, this study can provide a theoretical basis for the layout of fire fighting equipment in the engine room of nuclear power plants or hydrogen-powered ships.     

In situ 2D mapping of hydrogen entry into an Fe sheet under a droplet of NaCl solution using a hydrogenochromic sensor

The distribution of hydrogen entering an Fe sheet under a droplet of NaCl solution was successfully visualized using a hydrogenochromic sensor consisting of a polyaniline layer and a Ni intermediate layer. At the initial stage of corrosion, the hydrogen entry was barely confirmed. The hydrogen entry was observed as the corrosion proceeded, and the preferential hydrogen entry site corresponded to the rust-formed area. It was postulated that the hydrogen entry is promoted by the decrease in pH due to the hydrolysis reactions of Fe ions under the rust. The hydrogenochromic sensor paves the way for the visualization of the hydrogen entry into metals under corrosion conditions.     

Effects of an inhomogeneous electron density distribution on the hydrogen distribution in TiZrTaNbAl multi-principal element alloys

A body-centered cubic equiatomic TiZrTaNbAl multi-principal element alloy (MPEA) with elemental fluctuations was investigated to further understand the relationship between the microstructure and hydrogen distribution. In this study, a composition dependence of the hydrogen distribution was observed in the TiZrTaNbAl MPEA. An inhomogeneous electron density distribution of the MPEA was revealed by advanced differential phase-contrast scanning electron microscopy (DPC-STEM) for the first time. The results showed that the electron density has a significant effect on the hydrogen distribution in TiZrTaNbAl MPEAs. This work provides new insight into the design of materials with high hydrogen storage capacity and high hydrogen embrittlement resistance.     

Enhanced gaseous hydrogen solubility in ferritic and martensitic steels at low temperatures

Metals that are exposed to high pressure hydrogen gas may undergo detrimental failure by embrittlement. Understanding the mechanisms and driving forces of hydrogen absorption on the surface of metals is crucial for avoiding hydrogen embrittlement. In this study, the effect of stress-enhanced gaseous hydrogen uptake in bulk metals is investigated in detail. For that purpose, a generalized form of Sievert's law is derived from thermodynamic potentials considering the effect of microstructural trapping sites and multiaxial stresses. This new equation is parametrized and verified using experimental data for carbon steels, which were charged under gaseous hydrogen atmosphere at pressures up to 1000 bar. The role of microstructural trapping sites on the parameter identification is critically discussed. Finally, the parametrized equation is applied to calculate the stress-enhanced hydrogen solubility of thin-walled pipelines and thick-walled pressure vessels during service.     

Achieving superior hydrogen storage properties via in-situ formed nanostructures: A high-capacity Mg–Ni alloy with La microalloying

Mg-based hydride is a promising hydrogen storage material, but its capacity is hindered by the kinetic properties. In this study, Mg–Mg₂Ni–LaH_x nanocomposite is formed from the H-induced decomposition of Mg₉₈Ni_1·67La_0.33 alloy. The hydrogen capacity of 7.19 wt % is reached at 325 °C under 3 MPa H₂, attributed to the ultrahigh hydrogenation capacity in Stage I. The hydrogen capacity of 5.59 wt % is achieved at 175 °C under 1 MPa H₂. The apparent activation energies for hydrogen absorption and desorption are calculated as 57.99 and 107.26 kJ/mol, which are owing to the modified microstructure with LaH_x and Mg₂Ni nanophases embedding in eutectic, and tubular nanostructure adjacent to eutectic. The LaH_2.49 nanophase can catalyze H₂ molecules to dissociate and H atoms to permeate due to its stronger affinity with H atoms. The interfaces of these nanophases provide preferential nucleation sites and alleviate the “blocking effect” together with tubular nanostructure by providing H atoms diffusion paths after the impingement of MgH₂ colonies. Therefore, the superior hydrogenation properties are achieved because of the rapid absorption process of Stage I. The efficient synthesis of nano-catalysts and corresponding mechanisms for improving hydrogen storage properties have important reference to related researches.     

Metal-free catalyst fabrication by incorporating oxygen groups on the surface of the carbonaceous sample and efficient hydrogen production from NaBH4 methanolysis

In the present study, metal-free catalysts for efficient H₂ generation from NaBH₄ methanolysis was produced for the first time from apricot kernel shells with two-step activation. The first stage of the two-stage activation includes the production of activated carbon with the KOH agent (AKOH), and the second stage includes hydrothermally HNO₃ activation with oxygen doping (O doped AKOH + N). The hydrogen production rate (HGR) and the activation energy (Ea) of the reaction with the obtained metal-free catalyst (10 mg) were determined as 14,444 ml min^?1 g^?1 and 7.86 kJ mol^?1, respectively. The structural and physical-chemical properties of these catalysts were characterized by XRD (X-ray diffraction), SEM (scanning electron microscopy), elemental CHNS analysis, FT-IR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), and nitrogen adsorption analysis. Also, the reusability results of this metal-free catalyst for H₂ production are promising.     

Study on the difference of dispersion behavior between hydrogen and methane in utility tunnel

Compared to liquid/gas hydrogen tank, the pipeline is an economical way for hydrogen transportation. With the quick development of utility tunnel in China, hydrogen pipeline enters the gas compartment can be expected soon. However, all the safety requirements of the gas compartment in the current standards are designed for natural gas, and the applicability for hydrogen is unknown. Therefore, a series of studies were started to investigate the safety of hydrogen in utility tunnel. In this work, a real utility tunnel locates at Shanghai was selected as the physical object. A 3D numerical model was built and successfully validated by a scaled tunnel test. The model has the maximum deviation of +9.5%. After that, a comparatively study of the dispersion behavior of CH₄ and H₂ was conducted. The assumed scenario was a 20 mm small-hole leaks with gauge pressure of 1.0 MPa in the middle of the tunnel. Numerical results shown that, H₂ has a larger dispersion velocity and higher concentration, and is more dangerous compared to CH₄. The current emergency ventilation strategy of air change rate of 12 times/h is not effective enough to dilute the H₂ flammable cloud. The alarm time of the testing points shown strong linear law. There was a sharp variation in the range of 20%–100% LFL (Lower Flammable Limit), so the alarm strategy in the tunnel standards is too ideal for both CH₄ and H₂. The numerical results in the present study could provide a guidance for the design and safety management of the hydrogen tunnel.     

Engineering the hydrogen storage properties of the perovskite hydride ZrNiH3 by uniaxial/biaxial strain

In the present work, the bonding length, electronic structure, stability, and dehydrogenation properties of the Perovskite-type ZrNiH₃ hydride, under different uniaxial/biaxial strains are investigated through ab-initio calculations based on the plane-wave pseudo-potential (PW-PP) approach. The findings reveal that the uniaxial/biaxial compressive and tensile strains are responsible for the structural deformation of the ZrNiH₃ crystal structure, and its lattice deformation becomes more significant with decreasing or increasing the strain magnitude. Due to the strain energy contribution, the uniaxial/biaxial strain not only lowers the stability of ZrNiH₃ but also decreases considerably the dehydrogenation enthalpy and decomposition temperature. Precisely, the formation enthalpy and decomposition temperature are reduced from ?67.73 kJ/mol.H₂ and 521 K for non-strained ZrNiH₃ up to ?33.73 kJ/mol.H₂ and 259.5 K under maximal biaxial compression strain of ε = ?6%, and to ?50.99 kJ/mol.H₂ and 392.23 K for the maximal biaxial tensile strain of ε = +6%. The same phenomenon has been also observed for the uniaxial strain, where the formation enthalpy and decomposition temperature are both decreased to ?39.36 kJ/mol.H₂ and 302.78 K for a maximal uniaxial compressive strain of ε = - 12%, and to ?51.86 kJ/mol.H₂ and 399 K under the maximal uniaxial tensile strain of ε = +12%. Moreover, the densities of states analysis suggests that the strain-induced variation in the dehydrogenation and structural properties of ZrNiH₃ are strongly related to the Fermi level value of total densities of states. These ab-initio calculations demonstrate insightful novel approach into the development of Zr-based intermetallic hydrides for hydrogen storage practical applications.     

Pristine and cobalt doped copper sulfide microsphere particles for seawater splitting

In this work, copper sulfide particles are synthesized with different Co doping concentrations such as 0, 1 and 5% at 80 °C by optimizing synthesis times from 1 to 3 h. Copper sulfide particles possess two structural phases of covellite CuS and digenite Cu₉S₅. The increase in synthesis time from 1 to 3 h increases the Cu₉S₅ phase growth and changes the morphology from flower to microsphere. The CuS synthesized with 0, 1 and 5% Co dopant concentrations demonstrate flower consisting of agglomerated nanosheets, microsphere and flower like microsphere. The elemental investigation substantiates Co ions presence in CuS microspheres. The A_1g (LO) mode intensity is decreased with increase in Co dopant concentration confirming Co incorporation into CuS microsphere. The CuS synthesized with 0, 1, 5% Co dopants exhibit 322 mV, 305 mV and 289 mV to attain 100 mA/cm² in 1 M KOH seawater. The CuS synthesized with 5% Co dopant demonstrates higher double layer capacitance (C_dl) of 173.9 mFcm^?2 and lower charge transfer resistance (R_ct) of 6.07 Ω with 78.84% retention after 10 h continuous stability than that of the other pristine (118.3 mFcm^?2, 13.72 Ω) and 1% Co doped CuS microsphere (165.7 mFcm^?2, 8.55 Ω) indicating more surface active site and rapid charge carrier transport, respectively.