Impact of Sensor Network Resolution on Methane Leak Characterization in Large Indoor Spaces for Green-Fuel Vessel Applications

A quantitative understanding of methane leakage has become essential for safety design as eco-friendly fuel systems expand in modern ship applications. To address this need, controlled methane-release experiments were conducted in a large indoor chamber (30 × 16 × 20 m) to evaluate how sensor-network resolution (1 m vs. 0.5 m spacing) influences dispersion measurement and 5% Lower Explosive Limit (LEL)-based risk assessment. Initial tests with a 1 m grid showed that most sensors detected only low concentrations except for near the release nozzle, demonstrating that coarse spatial resolution cannot capture the primary dispersion pathway or transient peaks. This limitation motivated the use of a 0.5 m high-density sensor network, which enabled clear identification of the dispersion centerline, concentration-gradient development, early detection behavior, and the evolution of diluted regions, particularly under buoyancy-driven plume rise. Experimental results were compared with CFD simulations using the RNG k–ε and k–ω GEKO turbulence models. Strong agreement was obtained in peak concentration, concentration-rise rates during the accumulation phase, and LEL-based dispersion distances. These findings confirm the suitability of the selected turbulence models for predicting methane behavior in large enclosed spaces and highlight the sensitivity of model–experiment agreement to measurement resolution. The results provide an experimentally grounded reference for sensor layout design and verification of gas-detection strategies in ship compartments, fuel-gas preparation rooms, and modular supply units. Overall, the study establishes a methodological framework that integrates high-resolution experiments with CFD modeling to support safer design and operation of methane-fueled vessels.