An Overview of IEA Annex 19, Subtask B: Experimental Data Bases Relevant to Hydrogen Safety Standards Development

The International Energy Agency (IEA) Annex 19 on Hydrogen Safety was established in 2004 to facilitate the hydrogen safety codes and standards development process. Organizationally, Annex 19 is divided into three subtasks: Risk Management (Subtask A), the Testing and Experimental Program (Subtask B), and Targeted Information Packages for Stakeholder Groups (Subtask C). In the present paper we summarize the current status and results of Subtask B, the Testing and Experimental Program. A key element in this program is the identification and development of experimental databases that are relevant to accident scenarios in real systems. Such databases are integral to a better understanding of the consequences of such accidents as well as to the validation of models developed to predict the risks and hazards associated with the accidents. A number of research groups are active in this program and include groups from Europe, Canada, Japan, and the United States. In this paper, an overview of each group's effort, the methodology and the current status of databases in the various areas are provided. Further links to details of the work, links to relevant references and information on the availability of databases are provided. Finally, an evaluation of current data gaps is given by the authors to provide greater insight into future research needs and directions.