A new insight into hydrogen leakage phenomena: Visibly observable patterns of hydrogen leakage

Luqiao Yao; Jianwei Li; Qingqing Yang; Zhonghao Tian

doi:10.59717/j.xinn-energy.2026.100148

The Innovation Energy > 2026 Vol. 3 > No. 2 > 100148

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A new insight into hydrogen leakage phenomena: Visibly observable patterns of hydrogen leakage

1.
School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
2.
Beijing Institute of Technology Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519088, China

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Corresponding author: jianwei.li@ieee.org
Received Date: January 22, 2026

Accepted Date: April 22, 2026

Published Online: April 23, 2026

The Innovation Energy 3(2), https://doi.org/10.59717/j.xinn-energy.2026.100148 | Cite this article

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PUBLIC SUMMARY

PUBLIC SUMMARY
1. Flow characteristics of hydrogen leakage become visually observable.
  
  Key transition dynamics are revealed through visualization.
  
  Full-field concentration is constructed based on observed transition dynamics
  
  A new insight and visual confirmation of hydrogen leakage patterns is presented.

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT

As hydrogen energy systems move toward miniaturization and modularization, the low-pressure, low-flow hydrogen leakage problem, which is becoming more frequent and significantly harder to detect, leading to the formation of flammable or explosive hydrogen-air mixtures, is a key challenge, constraining the widespread deployment of hydrogen technologies. The concentration distribution directly determines the extent and severity of flammable zones, but its spatiotemporal evolution, governed by the laminar-to-turbulent transition of the leakage jet, remains elusive. In this study, a visualization method is employed to observe hydrogen leakage, enabling the first clear depiction of the transition point’s behavior in low-pressure hydrogen jets. The transition point is found to exhibit a dual nature, with a relatively certain average position accompanied by distinct spatial fluctuations. A full-field concentration distribution of hydrogen leakage is constructed based on the spatial characteristics and fluctuation patterns of the transition point, enabling an accurate description of the spatiotemporal variation in hydrogen concentration fields. This work provides new insight and visual confirmation of hydrogen leakage behavior, offering essential support for the transition of hydrogen’s societal role—from a hazardous chemical to a safe and manageable energy carrier.
- Hydrogen safety /
- Hydrogen leakage /
- Laminar–turbulent transition /
- Visualization.

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REFERENCES

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Yao L., Li J., Yang Q., et al. (2026). A new insight into hydrogen leakage phenomena: Visibly observable patterns of hydrogen leakage. The Innovation Energy 3:100148. https://doi.org/10.59717/j.xinn-energy.2026.100148

Yao L., Li J., Yang Q., et al. (2026). A new insight into hydrogen leakage phenomena: Visibly observable patterns of hydrogen leakage. The Innovation Energy 3:100148. https://doi.org/10.59717/j.xinn-energy.2026.100148

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A new insight into hydrogen leakage phenomena: Visibly observable patterns of hydrogen leakage

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

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