Emergency Response Information: Reactive (Including Methanol) (19.8)
Criticality: High
Progress: Addressed, Not Adequately
Score: 20
DOT Relevance: §172 Subpart G
Description of Key Area
This key area pertains
to the availability of appropriate information resources needed by first
responders to potential emergencies (e.g., accidents) involving the
infrastructure that might be used to support the refueling of hydrogen vehicles
that have onboard reformers that produce hydrogen from liquid hydrocarbon
feedstocks such as methanol.
“Reactive,” as used
here, refers to the concept of fueling hydrogen vehicles with hydrogen-rich
liquid hydrocarbon fuels, which are reacted in an onboard reformer to produce
the hydrogen gas stream that fuels the fuel cell or internal combustion engine.
Methanol (CH3OH, which is often abbreviated as MeOH) is a frequently
considered fuel for vehicles with onboard reformers. Methanol, of course, also
fuels direct-methanol fuel cells, which are being developed to power small
appliances (e.g., notebook computers) but are not likely candidates to power
automobiles. Other fuels considered for onboard reforming include gasoline,
diesel fuel, and ethanol.
Considerable R&D has
been directed toward onboard reforming, vehicles with this technology have been
tested, and some fuel cell vehicle fueling stations (e.g., the CaFCP station in
West Sacramento) have methanol dispensers. However, this
hydrogen vehicle fueling strategy has recently been deemphasized, and DOE has
discontinued support of R&D in this area.
Here we are concerned
with the packaging and transportation systems that would be needed to support
the refueling infrastructure for hydrogen vehicles with onboard reformers.
Discussion of Criticality
This key area will be
critical if commercialized hydrogen vehicles have onboard reformers so that
they are refueled with a liquid hydrocarbon fuel such as methanol. The liquid
hydrocarbon feedstock delivery infrastructure for these vehicles will be
similar to the current gasoline and diesel fuel delivery infrastructure. While
some applicable emergency response information resources currently exist (e.g.,
the DOT ERG2004, as discussed below), these resources may not be fully adequate
for operations in an open-public-access environment such as a public fueling
station.
The important but
unanswered questions pertain to the likelihood that hydrogen vehicles with
onboard reformers will be commercialized, and which liquid hydrocarbon
feedstock delivery infrastructure will develop.
Discussion of Progress
Progress toward
providing emergency response information resources appropriate to the refueling
transportation infrastructure that might be used to support hydrogen vehicles with
onboard reformers is rated as “Addressed, Not Adequately.” This is because,
while some resources currently exist, they may not be fully applicable to
delivery of the specific chemical feedstocks to public-access fueling stations.
For example, the DOT ERG2004
lists Methanol (ID Number 1230, with reference to Guide Number 131). Guide
Number 131 is for “Flammable Liquids—Toxic” (methanol is poisonous; ingestion
of a few ounces can be fatal to humans). The Guidebook also lists and provides
some emergency response information for all other likely hydrocarbon
feedstocks.
In 2005, the NASFM and
DOT’s RITA established the Hydrogen Executive Leadership Panel (HELP). HELP’s
mission is “…to bring together emergency responders, government regulators,
scientists, consumers and experts from the automotive and energy industries to
facilitate a safe and orderly transition to hydrogen and other alternative fuel
sources.” HELP will focus on issues involved in training, educating, and
mobilizing emergency responders to work with government, industry, and
community groups to facilitate and ensure hydrogen transport, storage and
distribution, and the safety of vehicles and environs.
Recommendations
It is recommended that
hydrogen vehicle research, development, and demonstration activities should be
monitored to identify likely candidate fueling infrastructures that will
support the commercialization phase. If it appears that hydrogen vehicles with
onboard reformers will be commercialized, the candidate hydrocarbon feedstock to
be delivered to fueling stations should be identified, and the adequacy of
emergency response information resources for covering delivery of that
feedstock to public-access fueling stations should be assessed. If this
assessment indicates that more focused emergency response resources are needed,
then development of the needed resources should be initiated.
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