Prediction of structural deformations in a research stand for the study of hydrogen explosions

Abstract

Along with the development of facilities that employ hydrogen in many aspects such as hydrogen production, storage systems, fueling stations, and so on, it is critical to understand the features of this gas, particularly those affecting the explosive qualities. Researchers can create advanced modeling approaches, risk assessment procedures, and safety standards to lessen the potential impact of accidents by researching the behavior of hydrogen explosions. The present paper deals with the design of a stand intended for hydrogen explosion experimentation, anticipating the possible values of the explosion overpressures to which the stand structure is subjected. To approximate these values, a computer simulation of the hydrogen explosion was carried out in the virtual environment, in two stages. The explosive process was first simulated in a strictly fluid environment, with overpressure values at the domain's limits being recorded. The values of the explosion overpressures from the first stage were taken in the second stage and applied to the surfaces where the fluid and solid environments came into contact, ultimately yielding the potential deformations of the stand construction. The map of the resulting deformations becomes a point of reference in the design of the stand considering, first of all, its safe use.