A model evaluation protocol for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models used in safety analyses for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies

Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are seen as an increasingly important means of energy conversion and energy storage as European energy policies encourage transition to renewable sources, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and an increase in energy efficiency. This brings a corresponding move of these technologies out of the industrial domain, which is characterised by large quantities and a controlled environment, to the public domain which is characterised by a more diverse range of applications in typically less well controlled environments. The increase in demand brings an increasing need to carry out safety analyses and will therefore result in a more widespread deployment of modern numerical tools such as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). This in turn has led to a requirement for a better understanding of the suitability of CFD models for each specific application. Model Evaluation Protocols have been in existence for many years as a means of testing the quality of simulation tools mainly in the area of pollutant dispersion modelling. There have been several European initiatives for model evaluation covering dispersion, as well as fire and explosion modelling. The "SUpport to SAfety ANalysis of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies" (SUSANA) project aims to support stakeholders using CFD for safety engineering design and assessment of fuel cells and hydrogen (FCH) systems and infrastructure through the development of a new model evaluation protocol. The protocol covers all aspects of safety assessment modelling using CFD, from release, through dispersion to combustion and not only aims to enable users to evaluate models but to inform them of the state of the art and best practices in numerical modelling. To achieve the aims, the project has seven work packages which are based upon a support strategy of collecting information from outside the project and disseminating this information to the user community. There are seven partners in the SUSANA consortium and each is responsible for a particular work package and coordinating the work of the other partners in that area. This paper gives an overview of the SUSANA project, the work packages and the main stages of the model evaluation protocol.