Technical Paper
Safe Practices and Procedures for High Voltage and Hydrogen in Ford's H2RV
2004-03-08
2004-01-0059
In recent times, the development of alternate-fuel vehicles, including those fueled by hydrogen, has become relatively common. While there are potential safety related issues with any combustible fuel, these have been resolved over the last 100+ years. The comfort level with gasoline fuel has resulted from the widespread application of simple safety procedures followed at every stage of gasoline refinement and handling. It is important to have analogous procedures for handling hydrogen-fueled vehicles safely and with confidence. The characteristics of hydrogen, including: a) wide flammability range, b) very low ignition energy, c) odorless and difficult to detect, d) high diffusion rate, e) high buoyancy, f) invisible flame, etc., bolster the need for safe practices and procedures.