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Women in Hydrogen Energy

A topical collection in Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This collection belongs to the section "A5: Hydrogen Energy".

Viewed by 18249

Editors

Department of Chemical Engineering Materials Environment, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy
Interests: QRA; CFD modeling of fires and explosions of dust, gas, and hybrid mixtures; the safety of Li-ion batteries; modeling of forest fires; catalytic abatement of carbonaceous particulates from diesel engines; pyrolysis and combustion of coals, biomasses, and their mixtures; coal gasification; food engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Ulster University, School of Architecture & the Built Environment, HySAFER centre, BT37 0QB, Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland, UK
Interests: safety aspects of hydrogen applications; computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and theoretical modeling of hydrogen releases, fires, and explosions

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

The world’s energy and transportation systems are undergoing significant transformations, characterized by a sharply increasing use of renewable energy sources, efforts in energy conservation, and an increasing use of electric vehicles. In energy systems which are 100% based on renewable energy, hydrogen may have a role as a long-term energy storage medium, and as convenient fuel for long-distance heavy-duty transportation. Once available, hydrogen may also be used for high-temperature heat in industrial processes and as feedstock.

This Topical Collection “Women in Hydrogen Energy” is dedicated to encouraging and promoting the outstanding research works and studies led or carried out by women scientists, but not limited to. According to latest global statistics, women constitute about 30% of researchers and workers in the renewable energy industry. Gender diversity is crucial for driving more pioneering and inclusive solutions in hydrogen energy and technologies.

This Topical Collection proposes a group of professionals and students with the goal of supporting gender balance and diversity in the hydrogen energy and technology sector. The purpose of the group is to build our professional networks and mentor youngers, and promote relevant studies and achievements in the hydrogen energy sector.

Hydrogen is proving to be an efficient and competitive solution to tackle the increasing energy demand and need for sustainable and renewable energies. This Topical Collection invites contributions to the latest research and developments in hydrogen energy, addressing the advancement of hydrogen technologies and infrastructure, as well as the establishment of hydrogen as an integral and significant part of future energy scenarios.

The Topical Collection topics cover all aspects of hydrogen energy, including but not limited to energy fundamentals, production, storage, transmission, applications as an energy carrier, conversion systems, as well as the safety and feasibility of the infrastructure for the transport and final use of hydrogen.

All papers related to current problems, new solutions, modelling and simulations, and experiments in all relevant disciplinary areas are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Paola Russo
Dr. Donatella Cirrone
Collection Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the collection website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Hydrogen energy
  • Hydrogen energy technologies
  • Hydrogen production
  • Solar hydrogen/renewable hydrogen
  • Bio hydrogen/bio gasification/biomass
  • Electrolysis/electrolyzers
  • Hydrogen separation and purification
  • Hydrogen storage
  • Gaseous hydrogen storage
  • Liquefaction
  • Hydrogen conversion and utilization
  • Combustion
  • Photochemical (e.g., water splitting and water electrolysis)
  • Electrochemical (fuel cells)
  • Hydrogen sensors
  • Hydrogen safety
  • Hydrogen infrastructure

Published Papers (6 papers)

2024

Jump to: 2023, 2021

26 pages, 2046 KiB  
Review
Hydrogen Safety Challenges: A Comprehensive Review on Production, Storage, Transport, Utilization, and CFD-Based Consequence and Risk Assessment
by Marcella Calabrese, Maria Portarapillo, Alessandra Di Nardo, Virginia Venezia, Maria Turco, Giuseppina Luciani and Almerinda Di Benedetto
Energies 2024, 17(6), 1350; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en17061350 - 12 Mar 2024
Viewed by 664
Abstract
This review examines the central role of hydrogen, particularly green hydrogen from renewable sources, in the global search for energy solutions that are sustainable and safe by design. Using the hydrogen square, safety measures across the hydrogen value chain—production, storage, transport, and utilisation—are [...] Read more.
This review examines the central role of hydrogen, particularly green hydrogen from renewable sources, in the global search for energy solutions that are sustainable and safe by design. Using the hydrogen square, safety measures across the hydrogen value chain—production, storage, transport, and utilisation—are discussed, thereby highlighting the need for a balanced approach to ensure a sustainable and efficient hydrogen economy. The review also underlines the challenges in safety assessments, points to past incidents, and argues for a comprehensive risk assessment that uses empirical modelling, simulation-based computational fluid dynamics (CFDs) for hydrogen dispersion, and quantitative risk assessments. It also highlights the activities carried out by our research group SaRAH (Safety, Risk Analysis, and Hydrogen) relative to a more rigorous risk assessment of hydrogen-related systems through the use of a combined approach of CFD simulations and the appropriate risk assessment tools. Our research activities are currently focused on underground hydrogen storage and hydrogen transport as hythane. Full article
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2023

Jump to: 2024, 2021

29 pages, 4141 KiB  
Review
Addressing Environmental Challenges: The Role of Hydrogen Technologies in a Sustainable Future
by Alessandra Di Nardo, Marcella Calabrese, Virginia Venezia, Maria Portarapillo, Maria Turco, Almerinda Di Benedetto and Giuseppina Luciani
Energies 2023, 16(23), 7908; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en16237908 - 04 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1071
Abstract
Energy and environmental issues are of great importance in the present era. The transition to renewable energy sources necessitates technological, political, and behavioral transformations. Hydrogen is a promising solution, and many countries are investing in the hydrogen economy. Global demand for hydrogen is [...] Read more.
Energy and environmental issues are of great importance in the present era. The transition to renewable energy sources necessitates technological, political, and behavioral transformations. Hydrogen is a promising solution, and many countries are investing in the hydrogen economy. Global demand for hydrogen is expected to reach 120 million tonnes by 2024. The incorporation of hydrogen for efficient energy transport and storage and its integration into the transport sector are crucial measures. However, to fully develop a hydrogen-based economy, the sustainability and safety of hydrogen in all its applications must be ensured. This work describes and compares different technologies for hydrogen production, storage, and utilization (especially in fuel cell applications), with focus on the research activities under study at SaRAH group of the University of Naples Federico II. More precisely, the focus is on the production of hydrogen from bio-alcohols and its storage in formate solutions produced from renewable sources such as biomass or carbon dioxide. In addition, the use of materials inspired by nature, including biowaste, as feedstock to produce porous electrodes for fuel cell applications is presented. We hope that this review can be useful to stimulate more focused and fruitful research in this area and that it can open new avenues for the development of sustainable hydrogen technologies. Full article
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2021

Jump to: 2024, 2023

20 pages, 4581 KiB  
Article
The Pressure Peaking Phenomenon for Ignited Under-Expanded Hydrogen Jets in the Storage Enclosure: Experiments and Simulations for Release Rates of up to 11.5 g/s
by Donatella Cirrone, Dmitriy Makarov, Agnieszka Weronika Lach, André Vagner Gaathaug and Vladimir Molkov
Energies 2022, 15(1), 271; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15010271 - 31 Dec 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2002
Abstract
This work focuses on the experimental and numerical investigation of maximum overpressure and pressure dynamics during ignited hydrogen releases in a storage enclosure, e.g., in marine vessel or rail carriage, with limited vent size area, i.e., the pressure peaking phenomenon (PPP) revealed theoretically [...] Read more.
This work focuses on the experimental and numerical investigation of maximum overpressure and pressure dynamics during ignited hydrogen releases in a storage enclosure, e.g., in marine vessel or rail carriage, with limited vent size area, i.e., the pressure peaking phenomenon (PPP) revealed theoretically at Ulster University in 2010. The CFD model previously validated against small scale experiments in a 1 m3 enclosure is employed here to simulate real-scale tests performed by the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) in a chamber with a volume of 15 m3. The numerical study compares two approaches on how to model the ignited hydrogen release conditions for under-expanded jets: (1) notional nozzle concept model with inflow boundary condition, and (2) volumetric source model in the governing conservation equations. For the test with storage pressure of 11.78 MPa, both approaches reproduce the experimental pressure dynamics and the pressure peak with a maximum 3% deviation. However, the volumetric source approach reduces significantly the computational time by approximately 3 times (CFL = 0.75). The sensitivity analysis is performed to study the effect of CFL number, the size of the volumetric source and number of iterations per time step. An approach based on the use of a larger size volumetric source and uniform coarser grid with a mesh size of a vent of square size is demonstrated to reduce the duration of simulations by a factor of 7.5 compared to the approach with inflow boundary at the notional nozzle exit. The volumetric source model demonstrates good engineering accuracy in predicting experimental pressure peaks with deviation from −14% to +11% for various release and ventilation scenarios as well as different volumetric source sizes. After validation against experiments, the CFD model is employed to investigate the effect of cryogenic temperature in the storage on the overpressure dynamics in the enclosure. For a storage pressure equal to 11.78 MPa, it is found that a decrease of storage temperature from 277 K to 100 K causes a twice larger pressure peak in the enclosure due to the pressure peaking phenomenon. Full article
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26 pages, 2993 KiB  
Review
Solid-State Hydrogen Storage Systems and the Relevance of a Gender Perspective
by Erika Michela Dematteis, Jussara Barale, Marta Corno, Alessandro Sciullo, Marcello Baricco and Paola Rizzi
Energies 2021, 14(19), 6158; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14196158 - 27 Sep 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4960
Abstract
This paper aims at addressing the exploitation of solid-state carriers for hydrogen storage, with attention paid both to the technical aspects, through a wide review of the available integrated systems, and to the social aspects, through a preliminary overview of the connected impacts [...] Read more.
This paper aims at addressing the exploitation of solid-state carriers for hydrogen storage, with attention paid both to the technical aspects, through a wide review of the available integrated systems, and to the social aspects, through a preliminary overview of the connected impacts from a gender perspective. As for the technical perspective, carriers to be used for solid-state hydrogen storage for various applications can be classified into two classes: metal and complex hydrides. Related crystal structures and corresponding hydrogen sorption properties are reviewed and discussed. Fundamentals of thermodynamics of hydrogen sorption evidence the key role of the enthalpy of reaction, which determines the operating conditions (i.e., temperatures and pressures). In addition, it rules the heat to be removed from the tank during hydrogen absorption and to be delivered to the tank during hydrogen desorption. Suitable values for the enthalpy of hydrogen sorption reaction for operating conditions close to ambient (i.e., room temperature and 1–10 bar of hydrogen) are close to 30 kJ·molH2−1. The kinetics of the hydrogen sorption reaction is strongly related to the microstructure and to the morphology (i.e., loose powder or pellets) of the carriers. Usually, the kinetics of the hydrogen sorption reaction is rather fast, and the thermal management of the tank is the rate-determining step of the processes. As for the social perspective, the paper arguments that, as it occurs with the exploitation of other renewable innovative technologies, a wide consideration of the social factors connected to these processes is needed to reach a twofold objective: To assess the extent to which a specific innovation might produce positive or negative impacts in the recipient socioeconomic system and, from a sociotechnical perspective, to explore the potential role of the social components and dynamics in fostering the diffusion of the innovation itself. Within the social domain, attention has been paid to address the underexplored relationship between the gender perspective and the enhancement of hydrogen-related energy storage systems. This relationship is taken into account both in terms of the role of women in triggering the exploitation of hydrogen-based storage playing as experimenter and promoter, and in terms of the intertwined impact of this innovation in their current conditions, at work, and in daily life. Full article
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13 pages, 4117 KiB  
Article
Effect of Mechanical Ventilation on Accidental Hydrogen Releases—Large-Scale Experiments
by Agnieszka W. Lach and André V. Gaathaug
Energies 2021, 14(11), 3008; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14113008 - 22 May 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2866
Abstract
This paper presents a series of experiments on the effectiveness of existing mechanical ventilation systems during accidental hydrogen releases in confined spaces, such as underground garages. The purpose was to find the mass flow rate limit, hence the TPRD diameter limit, that will [...] Read more.
This paper presents a series of experiments on the effectiveness of existing mechanical ventilation systems during accidental hydrogen releases in confined spaces, such as underground garages. The purpose was to find the mass flow rate limit, hence the TPRD diameter limit, that will not require a change in the ventilation system. The experiments were performed in a 40 ft ISO container in Norway, and hydrogen gas was used in all experiments. The forced ventilation system was installed with a standard 315 mm diameter outlet. The ventilation parameters during the investigation were British Standard with 10 ACH and British Standard with 6 ACH. The hydrogen releases were obtained through 0.5 mm and 1 mm nozzles from different hydrogen reservoir pressures. Both types of mass flow, constant and blowdown, were included in the experimental matrix. The analysis of the hydrogen concentration of the created hydrogen cloud in the container shows the influence of the forced ventilation on hydrogen releases, together with TPRD diameter and reservoir pressure. The generated experimental data will be used to validate a CFD model in the next step. Full article
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12 pages, 932 KiB  
Article
Risk Assessment of the Large-Scale Hydrogen Storage in Salt Caverns
by Maria Portarapillo and Almerinda Di Benedetto
Energies 2021, 14(10), 2856; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14102856 - 15 May 2021
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 4650
Abstract
Salt caverns are accepted as an ideal solution for high-pressure hydrogen storage. As well as considering the numerous benefits of the realization of underground hydrogen storage (UHS), such as high energy densities, low leakage rates and big storage volumes, risk analysis of UHS [...] Read more.
Salt caverns are accepted as an ideal solution for high-pressure hydrogen storage. As well as considering the numerous benefits of the realization of underground hydrogen storage (UHS), such as high energy densities, low leakage rates and big storage volumes, risk analysis of UHS is a required step for assessing the suitability of this technology. In this work, a preliminary quantitative risk assessment (QRA) was performed by starting from the worst-case scenario: rupture at the ground of the riser pipe from the salt cavern to the ground. The influence of hydrogen contamination by bacterial metabolism was studied, considering the composition of the gas contained in the salt caverns as time variable. A bow-tie analysis was used to highlight all the possible causes (basic events) as well as the outcomes (jet fire, unconfined vapor cloud explosion (UVCE), toxic chemical release), and then, consequence and risk analyses were performed. The results showed that a UVCE is the most frequent outcome, but its effect zone decreases with time due to the hydrogen contamination and the higher contents of methane and hydrogen sulfide. Full article
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