Prediction of peak overpressure from hydrogen-air cloud explosions in vented cylindrical vessels
Qingchun Hu, Xihong Zhang, Hong Hao
Abstract
Hydrogen as one of the most promising clean energies, has received a lot of attention. Intensive research has been devoted to developing techniques for the effective usage of hydrogen energy. However, hydrogen is prone to gas explosion incidents, which may impose significant threats to people and structures in the vicinity. Blast overpressure is one of the main hazards from hydrogen explosion incidents. A simplified evaluation method for the prediction of peak overpressure from hydrogen-air cloud explosions in vented cylindrical vessels is proposed. Detailed three-dimension numerical models of vented cylindrical vessels with premixed hydrogen-air clouds were generated and validated with testing data. The numerical simulation results were used to establish the empirical correlation between peak overpressure and cylindrical vessels parameters including length and diameter, vent size and vent activation pressure. The influence of ambient temperature in the vented cylindrical vessels on the peak overpressure is also discussed. The simplified prediction method could be used for quick and reliable prediction of the peak blast overpressures in vented cylindrical vessels from accidental hydrogen explosions.