Simulation of Hydrogen Explosions in Closed or Vented Connected Vessels

ABSTRACT

The aim of this work is to present an original numerical study of gaseous explosions with hydrogen in air inside a closed vessel and the chain propagation of an explosion in vented partitioned vessels. A fast calculation methodology, particularly interesting in the field of the risk assessment is developed mainly for lean mixtures. In addition to simulating the explosion in a closed environment, it takes into account the accidental transmission of the explosion from one compartment to another adjacent one by the means of the hot flow through the orifice common to both volumes. Finally, it is possible to generalize this novel methodology to a simple multi-partitioned structure. Some characteristics of the model have been initiated for the ignition and the combustion of propulsive powders in a one-compartment vessel and developed for gaseous mixtures with appropriate parameters linked to simplified kinetics. A simple representation of the combustion phenomena based on energy transfers and the action of specific molecular species is presented. The model allows the study of various parameters such as the initial thermodynamic conditions, the location of the ignition energy, and the size of the inner openings or the vent areas. The numerical results have been compared with data obtained by the means of experimental works in the laboratory or available in the literature and indicate correct preliminary trends.

KEYWORDS:

• Hydrogen
• interconnected compartments
• particle collisions
• vented explosions

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).