Simulation-based safety analysis of hydrogen storage tank leakage using ALOHA and PHAST

Müge Ensari Özay; Nafiseh Farajirad; Efari Bahcevan; Nurcan Mert

doi:10.30521/jes.1859186

Simulation-based safety analysis of hydrogen storage tank leakage using ALOHA and PHAST

Abstract

Hydrogen energy systems are vital to sustainable energy infrastructure but require thorough safety assessment due to the hazardous properties of H2 gas. This study conducts a comparative simulation-based safety analysis of hydrogen storage tank leakage using two consequence modeling tools of ALOHA and PHAST. The analysis considers a cylindrical tank under various failure scenarios, including continuous leaks, jet fires, vapor cloud explosions, and catastrophic rupture. Three meteorological conditions are evaluated to examine atmospheric stability effects on hazard dispersion. According to ALOHA modeling results, the flammable vapor cloud reaches a distance of 422.5 m under Class F stability (1.5 m/s wind speed), whereas this hazard zone decreases to roughly 83.2 m under Class D conditions at an equivalent wind speed. PHAST provides more detailed results, with jet fire thermal radiation reaching approximately 16 kW/m² at 7 m from leak source and rupture scenarios producing overpressure zones up to 210 m. The comparison shows ALOHA is suitable for rapid emergency response, while PHAST delivers comprehensive engineering-focused risk evaluation essential for facility design and regulatory compliance. Integrating both tools offer a robust framework for assessing hydrogen storage risks, aiding operational safety and emergency planning. The results underscore the value of using multiple modeling tools to support hydrogen infrastructure safety and standard development.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

TÜBİTAK

Project Number

3230150

Ethical Statement

No ethical report is required.

Thanks

This work was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TÜBİTAK) under Project No. 3230150, titled “Development of a Safe Gas Hydrogen Tank Design and Prototype Manufacturing,” within the scope of the TÜBİTAK 1501 – 2023 Program. The authors gratefully acknowledge this support.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Energy Generation, Conversion and Storage (Excl. Chemical and Electrical)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Müge Ensari Özay ^*
0000-0002-4785-5503
Türkiye

Nafiseh Farajirad
0000-0002-1137-0600
Türkiye

Efari Bahcevan
0009-0004-1244-6349
Türkiye

Nurcan Mert
0009-0003-1573-8817
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

April 20, 2026

Publication Date

-

Submission Date

January 8, 2026

Acceptance Date

April 15, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30521/jes.1859186

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA37CS79MR

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Ensari Özay, M., Farajirad, N., Bahcevan, E., & Mert, N. (2026). Simulation-based safety analysis of hydrogen storage tank leakage using ALOHA and PHAST. Journal of Energy Systems, Advanced Online Publication, 80-96. https://doi.org/10.30521/jes.1859186

AMA

1.Ensari Özay M, Farajirad N, Bahcevan E, Mert N. Simulation-based safety analysis of hydrogen storage tank leakage using ALOHA and PHAST. Journal of Energy Systems. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication):80-96. doi:10.30521/jes.1859186

Chicago

Ensari Özay, Müge, Nafiseh Farajirad, Efari Bahcevan, and Nurcan Mert. 2026. “Simulation-Based Safety Analysis of Hydrogen Storage Tank Leakage Using ALOHA and PHAST”. Journal of Energy Systems, no. Advanced Online Publication: 80-96. https://doi.org/10.30521/jes.1859186.

EndNote

Ensari Özay M, Farajirad N, Bahcevan E, Mert N (April 1, 2026) Simulation-based safety analysis of hydrogen storage tank leakage using ALOHA and PHAST. Journal of Energy Systems Advanced Online Publication 80–96.

IEEE

[1]M. Ensari Özay, N. Farajirad, E. Bahcevan, and N. Mert, “Simulation-based safety analysis of hydrogen storage tank leakage using ALOHA and PHAST”, Journal of Energy Systems, no. Advanced Online Publication, pp. 80–96, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.30521/jes.1859186.

ISNAD

Ensari Özay, Müge - Farajirad, Nafiseh - Bahcevan, Efari - Mert, Nurcan. “Simulation-Based Safety Analysis of Hydrogen Storage Tank Leakage Using ALOHA and PHAST”. Journal of Energy Systems. Advanced Online Publication (April 1, 2026): 80-96. https://doi.org/10.30521/jes.1859186.

JAMA

1.Ensari Özay M, Farajirad N, Bahcevan E, Mert N. Simulation-based safety analysis of hydrogen storage tank leakage using ALOHA and PHAST. Journal of Energy Systems. 2026;:80–96.

MLA

Ensari Özay, Müge, et al. “Simulation-Based Safety Analysis of Hydrogen Storage Tank Leakage Using ALOHA and PHAST”. Journal of Energy Systems, no. Advanced Online Publication, Apr. 2026, pp. 80-96, doi:10.30521/jes.1859186.

Vancouver

1.Müge Ensari Özay, Nafiseh Farajirad, Efari Bahcevan, Nurcan Mert. Simulation-based safety analysis of hydrogen storage tank leakage using ALOHA and PHAST. Journal of Energy Systems. 2026 Apr. 1;(Advanced Online Publication):80-96. doi:10.30521/jes.1859186