Study of the influence of different ignition times on detonation generation and shock wave propagation in high-pressure hydrogen leakage

Abstract

Hydrogen is an efficient, clean, and renewable energy source. When determining a place for hydrogen energy storage and injection into vehicles, the main safety concern of hydrogen refueling stations is high-pressure hydrogen leakage. In this paper, the CFD method is used to study the effect of different ignition times on the explosion and shock wave propagation of high-pressure hydrogen gas leakage, analyze the distribution of flammable gas clouds, and evaluate the impact of combustion flames, temperature, and explosion-induced overpressure on refueling stations. The results show that the concentration of gas clouds ranges from 0 to 80% (volume concentration). Explosion and combustion phenomena occur at different ignition times during the high-pressure hydrogen gas leakage stage, with a maximum pressure of 2.6 bar and a high temperature of 1500–2400 K. After a high-pressure hydrogen leak, ignition can occur only as an explosive phenomenon. This generates a pressure of up to 3.1 bar and a short-lived high temperature. The pressure increases with the length of the leak, and the hazardous area varies depending on the time of ignition. This paper provides theoretical support for safety issues related to high-pressure hydrogen leakage in refueling stations.

Keywords

• High-pressure hydrogen leakage
• Ignition time
• Explosion gas cloud evolution
• Deflagration and detonation
• Shock wave propagation