Design Layout of Hydrogen Research and Development Garage

Research and development programs toward fuel cells and other hydrogen technologies have increased significantly during the past two decades. These programs require appropriate facilities to undertake  the research and development  programs. This paper discusses the design layout of one such facility, the “Missouri S&T EcoCAR Hydrogen Vehicle Garage”, which can be used as a model while designing a hydrogen R&D garage. The Missouri S&T EcoCAR garage is a 12.2 m × 7.6 m garage situated at the Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) and serves as the headquarters for the Missouri S&T EcoCAR team. Within the garage, students will gain real-world, hands-on experience by transforming a standard production vehicle into a hydrogen Fuel Cell Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (FC-PHEV). The garage is classified as a Class 1 Division 2, Group B hazardous location and is equipped to safely test and integrate the vehicle prototype. Specifically, the design includes  (i) a hydrogen gas detection system, (ii) hazardous location electrical service, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, lighting, and compressed air systems, and (iii) emergency backup electric power system with alarms/monitors/security camera s for the hydrogen R&D facility. The garage will be connected to an external backup power supply unit which will be powered by a PEM fuel cell.