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Article

Dispersion and Explosion Characteristics of Hydrogen Released from a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle

by
Zhixin Wu
1,
Dianji Wang
2,
Xuefang Li
1,*,
Huan Liu
3,
Shishuai Nie
3,
Peirong Chen
4 and
Wenfeng Zhan
4
1
Institute of Thermal Science and Technology (Institute for Advanced Technology), Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
2
Dalian Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspection & Testing Institute Co., Ltd., Dalian 116012, China
3
SINOPEC Research Institute of Safety Engineering Co., Ltd., Qingdao 266100, China
4
Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clean Automotive Propulsion and Energy Application Technology, Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd., Guangzhou 511434, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Fire 2026, 9(7), 300; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire9070300
Submission received: 3 June 2026 / Revised: 12 July 2026 / Accepted: 13 July 2026 / Published: 15 July 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment and Mitigation of Hydrogen-Fuelled Fire Hazards)
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Abstract

Safety concerns regarding hydrogen dispersion, fire, and explosion hinder the commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs). This study developed and validated a numerical model for hydrogen leakage, dispersion, and explosion in representative accident scenarios using real-vehicle experimental data from a manufacturer-provided HFCV. The analysis examined the effects of leakage orifice diameter, leakage orientation, vehicle motion, and ignition timing on hazard evolution. Large-orifice leakage accelerates flammable cloud formation and expands the hazard range, whereas small-orifice leakage prolongs cloud persistence. Vehicle motion enhances turbulent mixing and reduces near-field accumulation. Immediate ignition produces a jet flame with a maximum radiative heat-flux impact distance of 44.1 m, whereas delayed ignition increases explosion severity and generates a peak overpressure of 0.14 bar. These findings support the risk assessment and safety design of HFCVs.
Keywords: hydrogen fuel cell vehicle; real-vehicle test; hydrogen leakage; hydrogen explosion hydrogen fuel cell vehicle; real-vehicle test; hydrogen leakage; hydrogen explosion

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MDPI and ACS Style

Wu, Z.; Wang, D.; Li, X.; Liu, H.; Nie, S.; Chen, P.; Zhan, W. Dispersion and Explosion Characteristics of Hydrogen Released from a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle. Fire 2026, 9, 300. https://doi.org/10.3390/fire9070300

AMA Style

Wu Z, Wang D, Li X, Liu H, Nie S, Chen P, Zhan W. Dispersion and Explosion Characteristics of Hydrogen Released from a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle. Fire. 2026; 9(7):300. https://doi.org/10.3390/fire9070300

Chicago/Turabian Style

Wu, Zhixin, Dianji Wang, Xuefang Li, Huan Liu, Shishuai Nie, Peirong Chen, and Wenfeng Zhan. 2026. "Dispersion and Explosion Characteristics of Hydrogen Released from a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle" Fire 9, no. 7: 300. https://doi.org/10.3390/fire9070300

APA Style

Wu, Z., Wang, D., Li, X., Liu, H., Nie, S., Chen, P., & Zhan, W. (2026). Dispersion and Explosion Characteristics of Hydrogen Released from a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle. Fire, 9(7), 300. https://doi.org/10.3390/fire9070300

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