Hydrogen accumulation control system for monitoring and controlling leaked hydrogen within an interior space
A hydrogen accumulation control system for monitoring and controlling leaked hydrogen within an interior space, in particular of an aircraft, includes a hydrogen detection system installed within the interior space to detect the presence of gaseous hydrogen in the interior space and to provide occurrence data on the detected hydrogen within the interior space, a system control configured to assess the occurrence data and to determine and initiate a remedial procedure for reduction of the detected hydrogen within the interior space, and a venting system configured to vent the interior space from the detected hydrogen according to the remedial procedure.
1 . A hydrogen accumulation control system for monitoring and controlling leaked hydrogen within an interior space, the hydrogen accumulation control system comprising:
a hydrogen detection system installed within the interior space and configured to detect a presence of hydrogen in the interior space and to provide occurrence data on the presence of the hydrogen detected in the interior space;
a system control configured to assess the occurrence data and to determine and initiate a remedial procedure for reduction of the hydrogen detected within the interior space; and
a venting system configured to vent the hydrogen from the interior space according to the remedial procedure;
wherein the interior space comprises an accumulation portion arranged and configured for hydrogen accumulation; and
wherein the accumulation portion is separated from a rest of the interior space by a unidirectional diaphragm, or by a molecular sieve, allowing hydrogen to pass from the interior space into the accumulation portion but not from the accumulation portion back into the rest of the interior space.
2 . The hydrogen accumulation control system according to claim 1 , wherein the occurrence data characterize at least one of a distribution of the hydrogen detected in the interior space and a concentration of the hydrogen detected in the interior space.
3 . The hydrogen accumulation control system according to claim 1 , wherein the venting system comprises at least one ventilator configured to induce a directed air flow to achieve at least one of:
distribution of the hydrogen within the interior space;
reduction of a concentration of the hydrogen in the interior space; and
discharge of the hydrogen from the interior space;
wherein the at least one ventilator is configured to steer the directed air flow such that the hydrogen accumulates in an upper portion of the interior space, from which the hydrogen can be discharged, by separation from the air transported with the directed air flow.
4 . The hydrogen accumulation control system according to claim 1 , wherein the venting system comprises at least one venting element from the group consisting of a hydrogen inlet, a transfer duct, a flow control valve, a hydrogen outlet, and a hydrogen flashback arrestor.
5 . The hydrogen accumulation control system according to claim 1 , wherein the accumulation portion comprises a ceiling portion.
6 . The hydrogen accumulation control system according to claim 5 , wherein the accumulation portion is a ceiling portion.
7 . The hydrogen accumulation control system according to claim 1 , wherein the accumulation portion is configured as a hydrogen inlet of the venting system.
8 . The hydrogen accumulation control system according to claim 1 , wherein the system control is configured to calculate accumulation and movement of the hydrogen based on the occurrence data and on geometrical data characterizing the interior space.
9 . The hydrogen accumulation control system according to claim 8 , wherein the system control is configured to evaluate and predict risk levels based on calculated hydrogen accumulation and movement, the risk levels being considered for the remedial procedure.
10 . The hydrogen accumulation control system according to claim 1 , further comprising an inert gas reservoir storing an inert gas, wherein the system control is configured to release the inert gas from the inert gas reservoir as part of the remedial procedure to mix the inert gas with the hydrogen in the interior space.
11 . The hydrogen accumulation control system according to claim 10 , wherein the inert gas is helium.
12 . The hydrogen accumulation control system according to claim 1 , wherein;
the venting system is part of and/or coupled to an air conditioning system; and
the system control is configured to control the air conditioning system according to the remedial procedure, to transport the hydrogen at least through portions of the air conditioning system.
13 . The hydrogen accumulation control system according to claim 12 , wherein the air conditioning system comprises a hydrogen gas separator configured to separate the hydrogen from air transported through the air conditioning system.
14 . The hydrogen accumulation control system according to claim 1 , wherein the system control is communicatively coupled with and/or configured to control, in order to initiate and conduct the remedial procedure, at least one of a cabin pressure control system, an aircraft door control and monitoring system, an oxygen system, an aircraft electric system, and a flight control system.
15 . The hydrogen accumulation control system according to claim 1 , further comprising an indication system configured to indicate information about the occurrence data and/or the remedial procedure.
16 . An aircraft having the hydrogen accumulation control system according to claim 1 .
17 . A hydrogen accumulation control system for monitoring and controlling leaked hydrogen within an interior space, the hydrogen accumulation control system comprising:
a hydrogen detection system installed within the interior space and configured to detect a presence of hydrogen in the interior space and to provide occurrence data on the presence of the hydrogen detected in the interior space;
a system control configured to assess the occurrence data and to determine and initiate a remedial procedure for reduction of the hydrogen detected within the interior space;
a venting system configured to vent the hydrogen from the interior space according to the remedial procedure; and
an inert gas reservoir storing an inert gas, wherein the system control is configured to release the inert gas from the inert gas reservoir as part of the remedial procedure to mix the inert gas with the hydrogen in the interior space.
18 . An aircraft having the hydrogen accumulation control system according to claim 17 .
19 . A hydrogen accumulation control system for monitoring and controlling leaked hydrogen within an interior space, the hydrogen accumulation control system comprising:
a hydrogen detection system installed within the interior space and configured to detect a presence of hydrogen in the interior space and to provide occurrence data on the presence of the hydrogen detected in the interior space;
a system control configured to assess the occurrence data and to determine and initiate a remedial procedure for reduction of the hydrogen detected within the interior space; and
a venting system configured to vent the hydrogen from the interior space according to the remedial procedure;
wherein the venting system is part of and/or coupled to an air conditioning system;
wherein the system control is configured to control the air conditioning system according to the remedial procedure, to transport the hydrogen at least through portions of the air conditioning system; and
wherein the air conditioning system comprises a hydrogen gas separator configured to separate the hydrogen from air transported through the air conditioning system.
20 . An aircraft having the hydrogen accumulation control system according to claim 19 .