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Chinese Academy of Sciences

Liquid Hydrogen Release Simulation Reveals Significant Hazards

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Liquid hydrogen is considered an ideal clean energy source and is expected to gradually replace fossil fuels. However, a new study from the Chinese Academy of Sciences has highlighted the potential hazards associated with liquid hydrogen leaks. The research team, led by Yanwei Liang, has used a numerical model based on the open-source computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code, OpenFOAM, to simulate the effects of atmospheric wind speed, ground type, atmospheric pressure, temperature, and release duration on liquid hydrogen release.

Key Takeaways:

  • The numerical model was validated by comparing its results with NASA's large-scale liquid hydrogen release experiments conducted in open spaces, with deviations within an acceptable range.
  • The study found that atmospheric wind speed and release duration significantly affect liquid hydrogen release more than other factors, with high wind speeds increasing the potential hazard downwind.
  • The impact of atmospheric wind speed, ground type, atmospheric pressure, temperature, and release duration on the liquid hydrogen release process was analyzed, with changes in hydrogen concentration, maximum movement distance of the hydrogen cloud, and volume of the hydrogen cloud over time being compared under different conditions.
  • The study concluded that in the event of a leak, it should be stopped as soon as possible to minimize the release duration.
  • The research has been peer-reviewed and published in the journal Renewable Energy.

Statistics:

  • The study analyzed the effects of atmospheric wind speed, ground type, atmospheric pressure, temperature, and release duration on liquid hydrogen release.
  • The changes in hydrogen concentration, maximum movement distance of the hydrogen cloud, and volume of the hydrogen cloud over time were analyzed and compared under different conditions.
  • The study found that under natural conditions, atmospheric wind speed and release duration significantly affect liquid hydrogen release more than other factors.

Sources:

  • Numerical Simulation of Process Analysis and Sensitivity Analysis of Factors Influencing Liquid Hydrogen Release In Open Spaces; Renewable Energy, 2025;252.
  • Yanwei Liang et al., Chinese Academy of Sciences, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, State Key Lab Cryogen Sci & Technol, Beijing 100190, People's Republic of China.
  • NewsRx LLC. Investigators from Chinese Academy of Sciences Have Reported New Data on Mathematics (Numerical Simulation of Process Analysis and Sensitivity Analysis of Factors Influencing Liquid Hydrogen Release In Open Spaces). Mathematics Week. October 21, 2025; p 1500.

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