Citation

Kim W, Shentsov V, Makarov D, Molkov V. Safety (Basel) 2017; 3(2): e16.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, MDPI: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)

DOI

10.3390/safety3020016

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In the present study, pilot simulations of the phenomena of blast wave and fireball generated by the rupture of a high-pressure (35 MPa) hydrogen tank (volume 72 L) due to fire were carried out. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model includes the realizable k-ε model for turbulence and the eddy dissipation model coupled with the one-step chemical reaction mechanism for combustion. The simulation results were compared with experimental data on a stand-alone hydrogen tank rupture in a bonfire test. The simulations provided insights into the interaction between the blast wave propagation and combustion process. The simulated blast wave decay is approximately identical to the experimental data concerning pressure at various distances. Fireball is first ignited at the ground level, which is considered to be due to stagnation flow conditions. Subsequently, the flame propagates toward the interface between hydrogen and air.

Language: en

Keywords

blast wave; eddy dissipation model; explosion; fireball; hydrogen tank