Application of the developed CFD analysis methodology to H2 explosion accidents in an open space. (12th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kang, Hyung Seok; NO, Hee Cheon; Kim, Sang Baik; Kim, Min Hwan
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 42:Number 2(2017)
• Page Start: 1306
• Page End: 1317
• Publication Date: 2017-01-12
• Subjects: Hydrogen explosion -- Blast wave -- Peak overpressure -- Safety distance -- Very high temperature reactor -- CFD analysis; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.09.148
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: We developed a CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) analysis methodology for predicting an overpressure buildup due to a hydrogen explosion as well as the blast wave propagation from the near field to the far field of the hydrogen explosion site with an error range of about ±30% on the basis of test results with the small-scale obstacle at the stoichiometry condition in an open space in the previous research. In this paper, we confirmed the applicability of the developed CFD analysis method to the evaluation of the safety distance between a VHTR (Very High Temperature Reactor) and a hydrogen production facility through the CFD analysis conducted on the HTTR (High Temperature Test Reactor) and the hydrogen production facility in JAEA (Japan Atomic Energy Agency) under an assumption of a hypothetical hydrogen explosion. The application study showed physically reasonable results when compared to the test data performed by SRI (Stanford Research Institute) International, and the CFD analysis methodology is a more useful tool in the evaluation of the safety distance than the MEM (Multi-Energy Method) because the MEM has some drawbacks that it cannot predict an asymmetric explosion phenomenon due to a complicated geometry and an ambient temperature effect on an overpressure buildup. Finally, the developed CFD analysis methodology will be applied to evaluate the safety distance between a VHTR and a hydrogen production facility after KAERI (Korea Atomic Energy Reaches Institute) completes a design work of a VHTR and a production facility. Graphical abstract: Highlights: The CFD analysis is a useful tool for evaluating the safety distance between the VHTR and H2 production facility. The applicability of the developed CFD analysis method for a real plant is confirmed. A hypothetical H2 explosion accident in the HTTR and H2 production facility is assumed. The MEM cannot be applied to an asymmetric H2 explosion phenomenon due to a complicated geometry.