Simulation Experiment on Release Behavior of Emergency Release System (ERS) for Liquid Hydrogen Loading System

A loading system plays a role of loading and unloading liquid hydrogen between a carrier ship and a ground storage facility in hydrogen supply chain in which hydrogen in the form of liquid phase is transported by the carrier ship from a resource-rich country to a consuming country. An emergency release system (ERS), which is one of components of the loading system, is installed in the middle of transfer pipe of the loading system, and has function of separating and plugging the pipe at an abnormality during loading so as to prevent a large amount of cryogenic fluid from scattering. We have conducted R & D study of the ERS for liquid hydrogen based on an existing one for liquid natural gas (LNG). Whole system function of the ERS including separation behavior was verified conducting a field experiment with the ERS test model and liquid hydrogen. Through several tests, the separation mechanism and behavior were verified, and also, soundness of the seal mechanism was evaluated. While, auto-ignition phenomena were observed on the separation surface of the ERS after the separation, of which causes have not been identified yet. Characteristics of dispersion behavior of hydrogen that was released at the separation could be investigated measuring distribution of temperature and hydrogen concentration around the ERS test model.