AS THE WORLD SEEKS TO IDENTIFY alternative energy sources, hydrogen-powered fuel cells offer a broad range of benefits for the environment, the economy, and energy security. Hydrogen fuel cells have the potential to replace the internal combustion engine and to provide power in a wide range of stationary and portable applications.

Baker Engineering and Risk Consultants, Inc. (BakerRisk®) and Daewoo Engineering and Construction Co. Ltd. (Daewoo) performed vented (i.e., partially-confined) vapor cloud explosion (VCE) tests with both propane and lean hydrogen mixtures. BakerRisk’s Deflagration Load Generator (DLG) test rig was used to perform the tests. The DLG test rig was designed primarily to produce centrally-peaked blast waves that are representative of VCEs suitable for blast loading test articles, but has also been used for vented deflagration testing.