Flame characteristics of premixed H2-air mixtures explosion venting in a spherical container through a duct

The explosion venting duct can effectively reduce the hazard degree of a gas explosion and conduct the venting energy to the safe area. To investigate the flame quantitative propagation law of explosion venting with a duct, the effects of hydrogen fraction and explosion venting duct length on jet flame propagation characteristics of premixed H₂-air mixtures were analyzed through experiment and simulation. The experiment results under initial conditions of room temperature and 1 atm show that when hydrogen fraction was high enough, part of the unburned hydrogen was mixed with air again to reach an ignitable concentration, resulting in the secondary combustion was easier produced and the duration of the secondary flame increased. With the increase of venting duct length, the flame front distance and propagation velocity increased. Meanwhile, the spatial distribution of pressure field and temperature field, and the propagation process and mechanism of the flame venting with a duct were analyzed using FLUENT software. The variation of the pressure wave and the pressure reflection oscillation law in the explosion venting duct was captured. Therefore, in the industrial explosion venting design with a duct, the hazard caused by the coupling of venting pressure and venting flame under different fractions should be considered comprehensively.     

A study of numerical hazard prediction method of gas explosion

A 3-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation of a premixed hydrogen/air explosion in a large-scale domain is performed. The main feature of the numerical model is the solution of a transport equation for the reaction progress variable using a function for turbulent burning velocity that characterizes the turbulent regime of propagation of free flames derived by introducing the fractal theory. The model enables the calculation of premixed gaseous explosion without using fine mesh of the order of micrometer, which would be necessary to resolve the details of all instability mechanisms. The value of the empirical constant contained in the function for turbulent burning velocity is evaluated by analyzing the experimental data of hydrogen/air premixed explosion. The comparison of flame behavior between the experimental result and numerical simulation shows good agreement. The effect of mesh size on simulated flame propagation velocity is also tested, showing that the numerical result agrees reasonably well with experiment when the mesh size is less than about 20 cm.     

Effect of obstacle arrangement on premixed hydrogen flame: Eddy-dissipation concept model based numerical simulation

In this paper, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) numerical simulation is used to analyze and discuss the horizontal propagation process of premixed hydrogen flame with obstacles. A total of three different obstacle channel arrangements at the blocking ratio of 0.5, which will affect the explosion flame and pressure development. The results show that the premixed flame is affected by flow instabilities and vortices when propagating through the obstacle channel, thereby distorting the flame. The vortices outside the flame boundary are more conducive to the acceleration of the flame. The continuous acceleration and synergistic promotion of the flame is more prominent due to the existence of the channel in the central axis of flame propagation, and the maximum velocity even achieved 307.91  m/s. The degree of the wrinkle of flame increases with the number of obstacle channels. The flame propagation process is always accompanied by pressure variations, and the dynamic pressure builds up at the flame front and intensifies periodically. But the downstream pressure gradually increases as the number of obstacle channels increases. CFD simulation of the explosion process clearly reveals the changing trends and interactions of explosion characteristic factors.     

Study on the dynamic process of in-duct hydrogen-air explosion flame propagation under different blocking rates

To effectively analyses the flame propagation of premixed hydrogen-air explosion, this paper carries out a numerical study on the dynamics of flame propagation during hydrogen explosions in a closed duct under different blocking rates. The study shows that flame structure is roughly the same when the flame passes through an obstacle under different blocking rates. The difference in blocking rates only shows a slight difference in the degree of flame deformation. When the flame passes through the obstacle, Rayleigh -Taylor (R-T) instability accompanies the entire flame propagation process and corresponds to each stage flame acceleration. Kelvin-Helmholtz(K-H) instability has a more prominent influence on the tip flame propagation. When the explosion flame propagates, instabilities lead to difference in density gradient and pressure gradient in the duct. Interaction between density gradient and pressure gradient leads to formation of baroclinic torque, which is the main cause of the vorticity. During the flame propagation, the vorticity at the front of the flame is roughly zero, whereas the vorticity formed at the obstacle or in the burned gases is more apparent. The larger the blocking rate, the more prominent the turbulence intensity during the flame propagation.     

Experimental study and three-dimensional simulation of premixed hydrogen/air flame propagation in a closed duct

An experimental and numerical study of premixed hydrogen/air flame propagation in a closed duct is presented. High-speed schlieren photography is used in the experiment to record the changes in flame shape and location. The pressure transient during the combustion is measured using a pressure transducer. A dynamic thickened flame model is applied to model the premixed combustion in the numerical simulation. The four stages of the flame dynamics observed in the experiment are well reproduced in the numerical simulation. The oscillations of the flame speed and pressure growth, induced by the pressure wave, indicate that the pressure wave plays an important role in the combustion dynamics. The predicted pressure dynamics in the numerical simulation is also in good agreement with that in the experiment. The close correspondence between the numerical simulation and experiment demonstrate that the TF approach is quite reliable for the study of premixed hydrogen/air flame propagation in the closed duct. It is shown that the flame wrinkling is important for the flame dynamics at the later stages.     

Experimental research on hydrogen/air explosion inhibition by the ultrafine water mist

This experimental study focused on the inhibition of ultrafine water mist on hydrogen explosion inside the closed vessel. The inhibition law and mechanism were studied through changes of explosion intensity, flame propagation velocity and temperature under different mist concentrations. Results indicate that flame propagation and pressure rise inside the closed vessel were corresponding. Explosion intensity was reduced after adding mist, which was mainly manifested in the reductions of explosion pressure and flame propagation velocity. Flame was accelerated to extinguish and the inhibition effect was enhanced with increasing mist concentration. However, the explosion prussure did not present obvious reduction as the mist concentration reached a certain value. Besides, it indicates that the absoption heat effect of ultrafine water mist was an important factor on hydrogen explosion inhibition by the reductions of flame temperature and propagation velocity. The inhibition effect was mainly attributed to the combination effect of physical and chemical inhibitions.     

Numerical simulation and validation of flame acceleration and DDT in hydrogen air mixtures

Combustion of hydrogen can take place in different modes such as laminar flames, slow and fast deflagrations and detonations. As these modes have widely varying propagation mechanisms, modeling the transition from one to the other presents a challenging task. This involves implementation of different sub-models and methods for turbulence-chemistry interaction, flame acceleration and shock propagation. In the present work, a unified numerical framework based on OpenFOAM has been evolved to simulate such phenomena with a specific emphasis on the Deflagration to Detonation Transition (DDT) in hydrogen-air mixtures. The approach is primarily based on the transport equation for the reaction progress variable. Different sub-models have been implemented to capture turbulence chemistry interaction and heat release due to autoignition. The choice of sub-models has been decided based on its applicability to lean hydrogen mixtures at high pressures and is relevant in the context of the present study. Simulations have been carried out in a two dimensional rectangular channel based on the GraVent experimental facility. Numerical results obtained from the simulations have been validated with the experimental data. Specific focus has been placed on identifying the flame propagation mechanisms in smooth and obstructed channels with stratified initial distribution. In a smooth channel with stratified distribution, it is observed that the flame surface area increases along the propagation direction, thereby enhancing the energy release rate and is identified to be the key parameter leading to strong flame acceleration. When obstacles are introduced, the increase in burning rate due to turbulence induced by the obstacles is partly negated by the hindrance to the unburned gases feeding the flame. The net effect of these competing factors leads to higher flame acceleration and propagation mechanism is identified to be in the fast deflagration regime. Further analysis shows that several pressure pulses and shock complexes are formed in the obstacle section. The ensuing decoupled shock-flame interaction augments the flame speed until the flame coalesces with a strong shock ahead of it and propagates as a single unit. At this point, a sharp increase in propagation speed is observed thus completing the DDT process. Subsequent propagation takes place at a uniform speed into the unburned mixture.     

Experimental and numerical investigation of premixed flame propagation with distorted tulip shape in a closed duct

High-speed schlieren photography, pressure records and large eddy simulation (LES) model are used to study the shape changes, dynamics of premixed flame propagation and pressure build up in a closed duct. The study provides further understanding of the interaction between flame front, pressure wave and combustion-generated flow, especially when the flame acquires a “distorted tulip” shape. The Ulster multi-phenomena LES premixed combustion model is applied to gain an insight into the phenomenon of “distorted tulip” flame and explain the experimental observations. The model accounts for the effects of flow turbulence, turbulence generated by flame front itself, selective diffusion, and transient pressure and temperature on the turbulent burning velocity. The schlieren images show that the flame exhibits a salient “distorted tulip” shape with two secondary cusps superimposed onto the two original tulip lips. This curious flame shape appears after a well-pronounced classical tulip flame is formed. The dynamics of “distorted tulip” flame observed in the experiment is well reproduced by LES. The numerical simulations show that large-scale vortices are generated in the burnt gas after the formation of a classical tulip flame. The vortices remain in the proximity of the flame front and modify the flow field around the flame front. As a result, the flame front in the original cusp and near the sidewalls propagates faster than that close to the centre of the original tulip lips. The discrepancy in the flame propagation rate finally leads to the formation of the “distorted tulip” flame. The LES model validated previously against large-scale hydrogen/air deflagrations is successfully applied in this study to reproduce the dynamics of flame propagation and pressure build up in the small-scale duct. It is confirmed that grid resolution has an influence to a certain extent on the simulated combustion dynamics after the flame inversion.     

Effects of combined obstacles on deflagration characteristics of hydrogen-air premixed gas

To study the mechanism by which an increase in the number of obstacles affects the propagation of hydrogen-air premixed gas explosions under a constant overall volume of obstacles, a large eddy simulation method was used to carry out numerically simulate configurations with different distribution modes of combined obstacles. The study focused on the flame structure, evolution process of overpressure dynamics, and flame-flow coupling relationship. The results showed that the flame propagation velocity and flame front area are increased during the conversion of the combined obstacles from 1-30 mm to 4–7.5 mm, while the flame front area logarithmically depends on the number of obstacles. The flames gradually develop from “corrugated flamelets” to “thin reaction zones” in different distribution modes. In addition, the results showed that although increasing dispersion increases the explosion overpressure, a critical number of obstacles likely exist. Beyond the critical point, explosion overpressure peak no longer strongly varies with the number of obstacles. Furthermore, for working configurations with different numbers of obstacles, an increase in the overall number of obstacles before reaching the same number of obstacles weakly affects the flame shape and flow rate of the flame front. This study provides theoretical guidelines for safety designs to prevent hydrogen-air premixed gas explosion in obstructed spaces.     

Suppression effects of ultrafine water mist on hydrogen/methane mixture explosion in an obstructed chamber

The mitigation effects of ultrafine water mist on hydrogen/methane mixture explosions with hydrogen fraction (ϕ) of the range from 0% to 60% were experimentally studied in a vented chamber with obstacles. The spraying time, droplets size of water mist and the volume ratio of hydrogen were varied in the tests, and the key parameters that reflect the explosion characteristics such as the flame propagation imagines, flame propagation velocity, and explosion overpressure were obtained. The results show that the ultrafine water mist presents a significant mitigation effect on hydrogen/methane mixture explosions. The flame propagation structures are similar under the condition of without and with ultrafine water mist while the flame temperature is declined by the physical and chemical inhibition by ultrafine water mist. In addition, the mitigation effect increases with the increase of water mist flux. As a result, the maximum flame speed and overpressure of ϕ = 30% hydrogen/methane mixture explosion are declined by 33.3% and 58.4% under the condition of spraying for 2 min with 15 μm ultrafine water mist, respectively. Besides, the mitigation effects of ultrafine water mist on ϕ = 30% hydrogen/methane mixture explosion descends evidently with the increase of the droplets size of the range from 6 μm to 25 μm, which due to the easier evaporation and the greater total droplets surface area of the smaller water mist. However, the explosion mitigation effect of ultrafine water mist on the hydrogen/methane mixture actually descends with the increase hydrogen fraction.     

Experimental and numerical study on premixed hydrogen/air flame propagation in a horizontal rectangular closed duct

Hydrogen is a promising energy in the future, and it is desirable to characterize the combustion behavior of its blends with air. The premixed hydrogen/air flame microstructure and propagation in a horizontal rectangular closed duct were recorded using high-speed video and Schlieren device. Numerical simulation was also performed on Fluent CFD code to compare with the experimental result. A tulip flame is formed during the flame propagating, and then the tulip flame formation mechanism was proposed based on the analysis. The induced reverse flow and vortex motion were observed both in experiment and simulation. The interactions among the flame, reverse flow and vortices in the burned gas change the flame shape and ultimately it develops into a tulip flame. During the formation of the tulip flame, the tulip cusp slows down and stops moving after its slightly forward moving, and then, it starts to move backward and keeps on a longer time, after that, it moves forward again. The structure of the tulip flame is becoming less stable with its length decreasing in flame propagation direction. The flame thickness increases gradually which is due to turbulence combustion.     

Investigating the explosion hazard of hydrogen produced by activated aluminum in a modified Hartmann tube

Metallic powders exposed to water are sources of hydrogen gas that may result in an explosion hazard in the process industries. In this paper, hydrogen production and flame propagation in a modified Hartmann tube were investigated using activated aluminum powder as fuel. A self-sustained reaction of activated aluminum with water was observed at cool water and room temperatures for all treatments. One gram of Al mixed with 5 wt% NaOH or CaO resulted in a rapid rate of hydrogen production and an almost 100% yield of hydrogen generation within 30 min. The flame structures and propagation velocity (FPV) of released hydrogen at different ignition delay times were determined using electric spark ignition. Flame structures of hydrogen were mainly dependent on hydrogen concentration and ignition delay time, likely due to different mechanisms of hydrogen generation and flame propagation. As expected, FPVs of hydrogen in the Hartmann tube increased with ignition delay time. However, the FPV of upward flame propagation was much larger than that of downward flame propagation due to the effect of spreading acceleration at the explosion vent. Once ignited, the FPV of upward flame propagation reached 31.3–162.5 m/s, a value far larger than the 7.5–30 m/s for downward flame propagation. Hydrogen explosion caused by the accumulation of wet metal dust can be far more dangerous than an ordinary hydrogen explosion.     

Outward propagation velocity and acceleration characteristics in hydrogen-air deflagration

Propagation characteristics of hydrogen-air deflagration need to be understood for an accurate risk assessment. Especially, flame propagation velocity is one of the most important factors. Propagation velocity of outwardly propagating flame has been estimated from burning velocity of a flat flame considering influence of thermal expansion at a flame front; however, this conventional method is not enough to estimate an actual propagation velocity because flame propagation is accelerated owing to cellular flame front caused by intrinsic instability in hydrogen-air deflagration. Therefore, it is important to understand the dynamic propagation characteristics of hydrogen-air deflagration. We performed explosion tests in a closed chamber which has 300 mm diameter windows and observed flame propagation phenomena by using Schlieren photography. In the explosion experiments, hydrogen-air mixtures were ignited at atmospheric pressure and room temperature and in the range of equivalence ratio from 0.2 to 1.0. Analyzing the obtained Schlieren images, flame radius and flame propagation velocity were measured. As the result, cellular flame fronts formed and flame propagations of hydrogen–air mixture were accelerated at the all equivalence ratios. In the case of equivalent ratio φ = 0.2, a flame floated up and could not propagate downward because the influence of buoyancy exceeded a laminar burning velocity. Based upon these propagation characteristics, a favorable estimation method of flame propagation velocity including influence of flame acceleration was proposed. Moreover, the influence of intrinsic instability on propagation characteristics was elucidated.     

Experimental study of premixed syngas/air flame deflagration in a closed duct

The propagation behaviour of a deflagration premixed syngas/air flame over a wide range of equivalence ratios is investigated experimentally in a closed rectangular duct using a high-speed camera and pressure transducer. The syngas hydrogen volume fraction, φ, ranges from 0.1 to 0.9. The flame propagation parameters such as flame structure, propagation time, velocity and overpressure are obtained from the experiment. The effects of the equivalence ratio and hydrogen fraction on flame propagation behaviour are examined. The results indicate that the hydrogen fraction in a syngas mixture greatly influences the flame propagation behaviour. When φ, the hydrogen fraction, is ≥0.5, the prominently distorted tulip flame can be formed in all equivalence ratios, and the minimum propagation time can be obtained at an equivalence ratio of 2.0. When φ < 0.5, the tulip flame distortion only occurs in a hydrogen fraction of φ = 0.3 with an equivalence ratio of 1.5 and above. The minimum flame propagation time can be acquired at an equivalence ratio of 1.5. The distortion occurs when the maximum flame propagation velocity is larger than 31.27 m s^?1. The observable oscillation and stepped rise in the overpressure trajectory indicate that the pressure wave plays an important role in the syngas/air deflagration. The initial tulip distortion time and the plane flame formation time share the same tendency in all equivalence ratios, and the time interval between them is nearly constant, 4.03 ms. This parameter is important for exploring the quantitative theory or models of distorted tulip flames.     

Effects of hydrogen concentration and film thickness on the vented explosion in a small obstructed rectangular container

The explosion venting is an effective way to reduce hydrogen-air explosion hazards, but the explosion venting has been less touched in an obstructed container. The present study mainly focused on the effects of hydrogen concentration and film thickness on the explosion venting in a small obstructed rectangular container. High speed schlieren photography was employed to obtain the flame fine structure and velocity. Pressure transducers were used to measure the overpressure nearby the obstacle. The experimental results show that the obstacle has a significant effect on the flame shape, tip speed and overpressure. In the process of flame evolution, the flame surface becomes more wrinkled with time after the tulip flame. Compared with the cases without the obstacle, the flame surface becomes more distorted and wrinkled downstream of the obstacle under the influence of obstacle enhanced turbulence and flow instability. Upstream of the obstacle, the lower part of the flame surface becomes concave while the upper part shows convex. The pressure histories show that the maximum overpressure increases with the hydrogen concentration in the range of 11.8%–23.7%. Two main pressure peaks were observed for all hydrogen concentrations in the presence of the obstacle. The Helmholtz oscillations appear after the second pressure peak and its duration increases slightly when the hydrogen concentration increases. The combined effect of the obstacle and hydrogen concentration on the second peak overpressure is more significant than on the first peak overpressure. Moreover, the maximum overpressure shows a monotonic increase with the film thickness.     

Inerting effect of carbon dioxide on confined hydrogen explosion

Taking maximum flame propagation velocity, maximum explosion pressure, maximum rate of pressure rise and time-average of rising pressure impulse as index, this paper is aimed at evaluating the inerting effects of carbon dioxide on confined hydrogen explosion by varying initial pressure, carbon dioxide addition and equivalence ratio. The results indicated that under enhancing hydrodynamic instability, the stronger flame destabilization occurs with the increase of initial pressure. At Φ = 0.8 and Φ = 1.0, the destabilization effect of thermodiffusive instability continues to increase with the increase of carbon dioxide addition. At all equivalence ratios, the destabilization effect of hydrodynamic instability decreases monotonously with the increase of carbon dioxide addition. All of maximum flame propagation velocity, maximum explosion pressure, maximum rate of pressure rise and time-average of rising pressure impulse reach the peak value at Φ = 1.5, and decrease significantly with increasing carbon dioxide addition. The inerting effect of carbon dioxide could be attributed to the reduction of thermal diffusivity, flame temperature and active radicals. The chemical effect of carbon dioxide reaches the peak value at Φ = 1.0. With the increase of carbon dioxide addition, the chemical effect continues to decrease at Φ = 0.8 and Φ = 1.0, and increase monotonously at Φ = 2.5.     

Experimental and simulation study of premixed syngas-air deflagration dynamics with elevated temperature and CO2 addition

Experimental and dynamic analyses of the deflagration characteristics of laminar premixed syngas-air at different preheating temperatures and with different CO₂ volume fractions were carried out in a rectangular half-open pipe. The effects of CO₂ concentration and different initial temperatures on the flame structure evolution, flame structure profile and reaction rate of critical radicals, flame propagation speed, overpressure dynamics and hydrodynamic instability of syngas-air mixture were studied. The FFCM-1 mechanism was used to predict the laminar burning velocity of syngas-air under relevant conditions. The results revealed that the addition of CO₂ inhibited the flame propagation and reduced the concentration of H, OH and O, thus reduced the laminar burning velocity. The increase in temperature promotes the chemical effect of CO₂, and the interaction between the flame front and the pressure wave is more pronounced, prolonging the duration of the " tulip " flame. Adding CO₂ reduces the flame front speed and overpressure, decreases the oscillation amplitude in late flame propagation, and inhibits the explosion intensity. Meanwhile, the temperature increase accelerates the flame propagation in the spherical and finger stages, and the maximum flame propagation speed and peak pressure appear earlier. In addition, as CO₂ content and temperature rise, flame hydrodynamic instability is difficult to ignore. However, there is a lack of data from studies of syngas deflagration dynamics at higher temperatures and with higher CO₂ additions. This suggests a focus on studies at higher temperatures as well as with higher CO₂ additions to enable the development of accurate kinetic models for wide range of syngas combustion. Also, the higher the initial temperature, the longer the time required for heating.     

真空腔对爆炸火焰窒息作用研究

采用预装真空腔对管道内瓦斯爆炸后火焰传播进行遏制是一种新型泄爆抑爆技术,从科学实验、理论分析和数值模拟3个方面初步研究了真空腔对爆炸火焰的窒息作用,结果显示一定体积真空腔的介入使其后的实验管道中不再出现火焰传播,真空腔的存在使燃烧过程的氧化工况由剧烈向缓慢转变,阻止燃烧三角形形成闭环,自由基生长的速度小于自由基的消失速度,爆炸火焰在真空腔内被窒息,证明了真空腔泄爆抑爆技术对爆炸火焰具有明显窒息作用的结论。     

Vented confined explosions involving methane/hydrogen mixtures

The EC funded Naturalhy project is assessing the potential for using the existing gas infrastructure for conveying hydrogen as a mixture with natural gas (methane). The hydrogen could then be removed at a point of use or the natural gas/hydrogen mixture could be burned in gas-fired appliances thereby providing reduced carbon emissions compared to natural gas. As part of the project, the impact on the safety of the gas system resulting from the addition of hydrogen is being assessed. A release of a natural gas/hydrogen mixture within a vented enclosure (such as an industrial housing of plant and equipment) could result in a flammable mixture being formed and ignited. Due to the different properties of hydrogen, the resulting explosion may be more severe for natural gas/hydrogen mixtures compared to natural gas. Therefore, a series of large scale explosion experiments involving methane/hydrogen mixtures has been conducted in a 69.3 m³ enclosure in order to assess the effect of different hydrogen concentrations on the resulting explosion overpressures. The results showed that adding up to 20% by volume of hydrogen to the methane resulted in a small increase in explosion flame speeds and overpressures. However, a significant increase was observed when 50% hydrogen was added. For the vented confined explosions studied, it was also observed that the addition of obstacles within the enclosure, representing congestion caused by equipment and pipework, etc., increased flame speeds and overpressures above the levels measured in an empty enclosure. Predictions of the explosion overpressure and flame speed were also made using a modified version of the Shell Global Solutions model, SCOPE. The modifications included changes to the burning velocity and other physical properties of methane/hydrogen mixtures. Comparisons with the experimental data showed generally good agreement.     

Numerical simulation of flame acceleration and deflagration to detonation transition in hydrogen-air mixture

A numerical approach has been developed to simulate flame acceleration and deflagration to detonation transition in hydrogen-air mixture. Fully compressible, multidimensional, transient, reactive Navier–Stokes equations are solved with a chemical reaction mechanism which is tuned to simulate different stages of flame propagation and acceleration from a laminar flame to a turbulent flame and subsequent transition from deflagration to detonation. Since the numerical approach must simulate both deflagrations and detonations correctly, it is initially tested to verify the accuracy of the predicted flame temperature and velocity as well as detonation pressure, velocity and cell size. The model is then used to simulate flame acceleration (FA) and transition from deflagration to detonation (DDT) in a 2-D rectangular channel with 0.08 m height and 2 m length which is filled with obstacles to reproduce the experimental results of Teodorczyk et al.The simulations are carried out using two different initial ignition strengths to investigate the effects and the results are evaluated against the observations and measurements of Teodorczyk et al.