Experimental investigation on spontaneous ignition caused by pressurized hydrogen suddenly release into an S-shaped tube

An experimental investigation on the effects of continuous semicircular curved structure on spontaneous ignition during pressurized hydrogen suddenly release was conducted. An S-shaped tube with 700 mm in length and 10 mm in diameter was used in our experiments, and a straight tube with the same configuration was adopted for comparison. The results show that the continuously generated rarefaction waves and reflected shock waves make the pressure curves in the S-shaped tube more complicated. Meanwhile, the mean velocity and intensity of the leading shock wave undergo considerable attenuation when it propagates in the S-shaped structure. By comparing with the straight tube, the minimum critical pressure condition for spontaneous ignition in the S-shaped tube is slightly difficult to reach, but the difference is not huge. Nevertheless, the S-shaped structure can effectively promote hydrogen-air mixing and make combustion more intense. A secondary overpressure peak detected by the pressure transducer near the nozzle occurs in the spontaneous ignition cases and no such pressure increase is caught in the non-ignition cases. The transition from spontaneous combustion flame to a jet flame at the nozzle and the complete out-tube jet flame development process are captured and discussed.     

Numerical study on the spontaneous ignition of pressurized hydrogen during its sudden release into the tube with varying lengths and diameters

Fuel cell vehicles (FCV) and other hydrogen systems with pressurized hydrogen has a safety hazard of spontaneous ignition during its sudden release into the tube. Tube parameter is a key factor affecting the spontaneous ignition of pressurized hydrogen. In this paper, a numerical study on the spontaneous ignition of pressurized hydrogen during its sudden release into the tube with varying lengths and diameters is conducted. The models of Large Eddy Simulation (LES), Eddy Dissipation Concept (EDC), Renormalization Group (RNG), 10-step like opening process of burst disk and 18-step detailed hydrogen combustion mechanism are employed. 6 cases are simulated based on the previous experiments. Numerical results show that the possibility of spontaneous ignition of pressurized hydrogen increases inside the longer and thinner tubes, which agrees with the experimental results. The increasing of tube length has little influence on the shock wave formation and propagation inside the tube. However, there exists critical tube lengths for the generation of Mach disk and the normal shock wave: the maximum and minimum distances for the generation of the Mach disk in 10 mm diameter tube are 7.8 and 6.7 mm, respectively. As for the normal shock wave, these critical values are 22.1 and 19.4 mm, respectively. In addition, the formation times and initial positions of Mach disk and normal shock wave are delayed inside the thicker tube. Due to the shock-affected time increases with the increasing of tube length, the temperature could rise to the critical ignition temperature and triggers the spontaneous ignition due to the sufficient tube length even though the less hydrogen/air mixture and the contact surface with lower temperature is produced inside the thicker tube. Finally, a simple time scale analysis is conducted.     

200 MW燃气流风洞高压氧气系统安全操作分析

为保证200 MW燃气流风洞高压氧气系统安全运行,从初始能量出发,对高压氧气系统充气、供气、排气时管道内的激波管流动、绝热压缩等过程进行安全分析,并提出针对性安全措施。结果表明:对于充气管道内存在的激波管流动,当驱动气体压力为20 MPa、被驱动气体压力为0.1 MPa时,激波反射后末端气体温度远远高于200 ℃,通过减小阀门开启速度,对阀前管道进行充气以减小上下游压差,可避免因绝热压缩产生的高温;供气管道充填时,管道内最高温度为73 ℃,通过控制充填速度,可进一步降低管道内氧气温度;通过高压排气、低压排气2种模式,可满足国标中对氧气流速的要求。研究结果可为氧气管道远程安全操作提供参考。     

Mechanisms of high-pressure hydrogen gas self-ignition in tubes

This paper describes a numerical and experimental investigation of hydrogen self-ignition occurring as a result of the formation of a shock wave. The shock wave is formed in front of high-pressure hydrogen gas propagating in a tube. The ignition of the hydrogen–air mixture occurs at the contact surface of the hydrogen and oxidant mixture and is due to the temperature increase produced as a result of the shock wave. The required condition for self-ignition is to maintain the high temperature in the mixture for a time long enough for inflammation to take place. The experimental technique employed was based on a high-pressure chamber pressurized with hydrogen, to the point of a burst disk operating to discharge pressurized hydrogen into a tube of cylindrical or rectangular cross section containing air. A physicochemical model involving gas-dynamic transport of a viscous gas, detailed kinetics of hydrogen oxidation and heat exchange in the laminar approach was used for calculations of high-pressure hydrogen self-ignition. The reservoir pressure range, when a shock wave is formed in the air that has sufficient intensity to produce self-ignition of the hydrogen–air mixture, is found. An analysis of governing physical phenomena based on the experimental and numerical results of the initial conditions (the hydrogen pressure inside the vessel, and the shape of the tube in which the hydrogen was discharged) and physical mechanisms that lead to combustion is presented.     

Real-time numerical simulations and experimental research for the propagation characteristics of shock waves and gas flow during coal and gas outburst

When coal and gas outburst occurs, high-speed gas flow and air shock wave with high kinetic energy could be created. In this paper, the formation process of outburst shock waves and gas flow has been analyzed firstly. Afterwards, the numerical simulation models of the roadways with right-angled intersection have been established, by which real-time simulation of the propagation of outburst gas flow and the process of gas transport has been conducted. Gas pressure, gas velocity and gas concentration can be simulated and shown. From analyzing the simulation results, qualitative and quantitative conclusions that the characteristics and patterns of the propagation and attenuation of outburst shock waves and gas flow can be arrived at. Finally, experimental models have been carried out to investigate the outburst shock waves and gas flow at the roadways with the similar shapes as the simulated ones. The results indicate that when shock wave and gas flow passes the intersection, most of the shock wave and gas flow will flow into the roadway of section opposite the intersection, and a little of it would flow into the roadway below the intersection. And turbulence will appear, shock wave reflects and diffracts at branches with more influence on the roadway below the intersection.     

高压管道天然气泄漏扩散过程的数值模拟

采用CFD模型的方法对高压管道内的天然气泄漏和扩散过程进行了数值模拟。其结果表明,从高压管道泄出的天然气在大气中主要表现为高速射流的泄漏过程和随后的扩散过程。在泄漏过程中,天然气在泄漏口附近为欠膨胀射流,整个泄漏过程具有一定的高度;在扩散过程中,天然气在浮力作用下以向上扩散的形式发展。研究了不同环境风速对扩散过程的影响,较大的风速可以使天然气向下风方向更远的距离扩散,从而增大了天然气爆炸危险浓度的范围。研究结果可     

Evaluation of hazard range for the natural gas jet released from a high-pressure pipeline: A computational parametric study

In the present study, the hazard range of the natural gas (NG) jet released from a high-pressure pipeline was investigated. A one-dimensional integral model was combined with a release model to calculate the length and width (i.e., size), and the shape of NG jet release. The physical parameters affecting the jet release of NG were categorized into three types: source release, environmental and time parameters. The effects of each type of parameters on the gas jet release rate, size and shape were evaluated systematically. The results show that all of these parameters have important influence on the hazard range of NG jet release. The source release parameters, including the pipeline length, the operation pressure of the pipeline, the release hole diameter and the pipe diameter, dominate the gas release rate through a hole and therefore the length and width of gas jet release. The gas jet release rate and size are found to be highly correlative with these parameters in terms of power curve regression analysis. The environmental parameters including the atmospheric stability, the ambient wind speed and the source height, have no influence on the gas jet release rate but have influence on the hazard range of gas jet by the turbulent mixing and dilution of NG with air. The time parameters including the concentration averaged time and the valve closing time which are related to the unsteady state jet release of NG, also show the influence on the hazard range of gas jet release. The results show that the decreasing valve closing time and increasing gas concentration averaged time are in favor of reducing the length and width of gas jet release. In addition, these computational parametric studies indicate that the parameters of source release and time have no significant influence on the shape of gas jet release (i.e., jet length/width ratio, LWR) which can maintain the values between 7 and 8. However, the environmental parameters have influence on the shape of gas jet release. These comprehensive investigations provide useful database of evaluating the hazard range for NG jet released from a hole on a high-pressure pipeline and also provide the foundation of decision-making for further fire and/or explosion evaluation and people evacuation.     

煤矿瓦斯爆炸阻隔爆技术现状及展望

煤矿主要采用隔爆水棚或岩粉棚来抑制瓦斯爆炸火焰传播,但此类技术仅针对一次性瓦斯爆炸,而缺乏对多次及连续瓦斯爆炸的有效阻隔爆手段。仅注重对燃烧波的淬熄作用,对造成很大破坏的冲击波的衰减效果不足。多孔介质的淬熄火焰和衰减冲击波的效能已得到国内外专家的重视,实验研究了多层丝网和多孔材料如泡沫铝和泡沫陶瓷的阻隔爆效果。泡沫陶瓷作为一种多孔介质,具有开孔率大、耐高温、抗冲击力强的优点。理论分析和实验研究表明,由于壁面的多次撞击效应,多孔介质可以有效地销毁瓦斯燃烧化学反应产生的自由基数量,抑制化学反应的放热,使化学反应不能自持进行,进而淬熄燃烧火焰传播;可以大幅衰减瓦斯爆炸的冲击波强度,起到同时淬熄燃烧火焰和衰减冲击波的作用。多孔介质有望成为煤矿井下一种新型的瓦斯爆炸阻隔爆材料和方法。     

煤与瓦斯突出冲击波及瓦斯气流所致伤害研究

为揭示煤与瓦斯突出过程中冲击波及瓦斯气流传播特性,针对这种突出做功随瓦斯压力、煤的普氏系数和煤的放散初速度变化的特征,运用气体动力学理论,建立冲击波超压、冲击瓦斯流速度与传播距离以及煤层瓦斯压力等参数的关系,计算不同超压下瓦斯气流传播伤害的范围。理论计算与现场测试结果表明,突出冲击波属惰性弱冲击波;波阵面上的超压传播伤害距离与突出时瓦斯膨胀的强度、巷道断面及巷道壁面的摩擦力和局部阻力等因素有关;冲击产生的高压瓦斯气流是造成巷道内大量人员窒息伤亡的主要诱因;突出能量瞬间释放没有补给,冲击波及瓦斯气流会在巷道阻力等因素作用下迅速衰减。     

Detonation transition criteria from the interaction of supersonic shock-flame complexes with different shaped obstacles

The present study is an experimental investigation of the last stages of the deflagration-to-detonation transition. A fast flame following a lead shock was generated by passing a detonation wave through a perforated plate. The shock flame complex then interacts with an obstacle of different shape. We study the influence of the obstacle shape on the transition mechanism to a detonation. The obstacles studied are a single round or square obstacle, a flat plate, a C-shaped and an H-shaped obstacle. The experiments were performed in a thin transparent channel permitting high speed schlieren visualization. Stoichiometric propane-oxygen was investigated at sub-atmospheric conditions. For each obstacle configuration, the initial pressure was changed to modify the flame burning velocity and the Mach number of the leading shock. The burning velocity prior to the interaction was measured experimentally from the displacement velocity of the flame in the videos. This required estimating the speed of the gas ahead of the flame. A linear correction to the speed immediately behind the lead shock was applied using the shock change equations and the measured pressure gradient behind the lead shock in order to account for the non-steadiness of the lead shock and viscous losses to the walls. Three main findings were that the obstacle shape had a minimal influence on the critical flame strength required for transition, although obstacles with a forward facing cavity were able to suppress the transition by isolating the re-initiation event inside the cavity. The main transition mechanism for all geometries was the enhancement of the flame burning velocity through the flame interaction with the shock reflected on the obstacle leading to Richtmyer-Meshkov instability. Finally, it was found that the flame burning velocity of the initial flame required for transition was closely approximated by the Chapman-Jouguet burning velocity. Consistent with the visual observations, this supports the view that transition is favored when the flame is in phase with the acoustic waves, and strong internal pressure waves can be amplified.     

Assessing the influence of real releases on explosions: Selected results from large-scale experiments

The research activities in the project Assessing the Influence of Real Releases on Explosions (AIRRE) included a unique series of large-scale explosion experiments with high-momentum jet releases directed into congested geometries with subsequent ignition. The primary objective for the AIRRE project was to gain improved understanding of the effect that realistic releases and turbulent flow conditions have on the consequences of accidental gas explosions in the petroleum industry. A secondary objective was to develop a methodology that can facilitate safe and optimal design of process facilities. This paper presents selected results from experiments involving ignition of a highly turbulent gas cloud, generated by a large-scale, pressurised release of natural gas. The paper gives an overview of the effect on maximum explosion overpressures of varying the ignition position relative to the release point of the jet and a congested region placed inside the flammable cloud, with either a high or a medium level of congestion. For two of the tests, involving a jet release and the medium congestion rig, the maximum overpressures significantly exceeded those obtained in a quiescent reference test. The paper presents detailed results for selected tests and discusses the effect of the initial flow field generated by realistic releases – including turbulence, net flow and concentration gradients – on relevant explosion phenomena.     

基于激波理论的新兴煤矿煤与瓦斯突出事故研究

通过分析新兴煤矿煤与瓦斯突出事故,发现在事故中由于煤与瓦斯突出事故诱发了激波的生成,瞬间产生的巨大超压,引起风流逆向,大量瓦斯随逆向风流从突出地点扩散传播至二水平,接触卸载巷电机车架空线所产生的电火花,从而引发瓦斯爆炸事故。提出了突出激波对事故的影响并分析了突出激波的形成及其破坏作用,研究了影响突出激波破坏作用的影响因素,得出参与突出的瓦斯量和瓦斯压力是影响激波强度的关键因素。有助于了解突出后的气流动力演化规律,并为煤与瓦斯突出事故的防灾、救灾措施的制定以及提高矿井的抗灾能力提供了参考。     

约束空间可燃气体燃烧爆轰特性的数值研究

在可燃气体的输送、贮存、加工和使用过程中,容易发生可燃气体的燃烧和爆炸事故。文中基于有限体积方法,采用五阶WENO格式进行左右状态量的重构后,利用ROE格式进行空间离散,自行开发程序对甲烷氧气的气相爆轰波传播过程进行了数值研究。计算结果表明:在CH4质量分数为10%的混合气体中,高温高压气团可诱导气相发生爆轰,爆轰波以2133.3 m/s的速度传播。在带有障碍物的约束空间内,文中分析了障碍物不同高度、不同间距条件下爆轰波传播时波的绕射、马赫反射等现象,给出障碍物表面压力随时间变化历程和冲量值,揭示波与障碍物的相互作用机理以及由此引发流场的变化规律,为有效地控制可燃气体的燃烧速率、防治爆炸灾害的发生提供理论依据。     

高压水射流卸压防治复合动力灾害机理及应用

为研究高压水射流卸压防治复合动力灾害的可行性,以余吾煤业高瓦斯矿井东翼采区内首采N2105工作面工程地质条件为背景,通过现场调研、理论分析、数值模拟和工业性试验等方法,对N2105进风平巷两帮采取高压水射流卸压防治效果进行了研究。结果表明:对巷帮煤体采取高压水射流卸压技术,煤体在高压水射流的冲击力和扰动应力波共同作用下瞬间发生破坏;巷帮侧支承应力分布曲线由原有的“单高峰值”转变为“内低外高双峰值”,受以上支承应力变化的影响,底板煤岩体内难以形成范围较大且连续的塑性应力状态区;现场电磁辐射和矿压监测结果表明高压水射流技术对煤层卸压增透效果显著,降低了巷道发生复合动力灾害的可能性。研究结果可为同类矿井复合动力灾害的防治提供参考和借鉴。     

Experimental simulation of airbag deployment for pipeline closing

Small scale tests were carried out at ISL's shock tube facility STA (100 mm inner diameter) to study the problem of closing a pipeline by means of an airbag in case of explosions or gas leakages. Experiments were carried out to simulate the flow in a pipeline at velocities and gas pressures as present in pipeline flows. In this study the gas used was nitrogen at static pressures of 0.2 up to 5 MPa and at flow velocities of 25 m/s up to 170 m/s. A special Nylon airbag, deployed from the tube wall into the pipe, was used to simulate the airbag inflation in a real pipeline. For this purpose a special gas filling system consisting of a gas generator with a reservoir volume of up to 500 cm³ which permits air pressures up to 17 MPa to be generated inside the airbag was developed at ISL. With a fast pyrotechnically opened valve the reservoir gas was released for airbag filling. The airbag inflation was triggered in such a way that it opened in nearly 3 ms into the pipe flow generated by the shock tube and continued for about 10 ms. For this application a special measuring chamber was designed and constructed with 20 measuring ports. Through two window ports, located one in front of the other, the airbag inflation could be visualized with up to 50 successive flash sparks illuminating a fast rotating film inside a drum camera. Pressure measurements using commercially available PCB pressure gauges at 9 measuring ports placed along the inner tube surface gave some hints on the behaviour of the wall pressure during airbag deployment. As a result from the experiments performed it is to conclude, that, with the Nylon airbag samples available, the pipe flow cannot be blocked by the inflating airbag. The flow forces acting on the airbag during deployment are in the shock tube experiments of the order of about 1000 N, which are not balanced by the airbags' neck, fixing it to the shock tube wall. This outcome suggests that a mechanical support is required to fix the airbag in its place during inflation.     

瓦斯爆炸在角联通风管网中的传播特性研究*

为研究真实通风工况下瓦斯爆炸冲击波在复杂管网内的超压演化规律及高温传播规律,采用数值模拟方法,研究角联通风管网模型中各个监测点在不同通风条件下对瓦斯爆炸冲击波超压及高温的影响规律,研究结果表明:瓦斯爆炸冲击波在角联管网传播过程中产生3个局部高压区域,高温气体主要在左、右通路内传播,斜角联分支内只受到微弱影响;管网入口风流的存在,使得爆炸初期冲击波超压经相同距离传播用时更短,峰值更大,破坏力更强;风流的存在使得管网内高温气体传播状态发生改变,斜角联分支与左通路尾部热量发生积聚,温度峰值更大。     

管道燃气爆炸特性实验研究

管道是化工及油气储运系统的重要组成部分,却时常受燃烧爆炸事故的威胁,因此对管道中燃气燃烧爆炸特性与规律的研究就十分必要。以甲烷作为研究对象,采用压力传感器以及火焰传感器等对水平封闭管道内甲烷-空气预混燃烧爆炸进行了实验研究,通过大量实验来研究可燃气体爆炸压力与火焰及其传播变化规律。根据实验结果将超压以及气体燃烧的变化情况,对前驱冲击波与火焰面的相对时间及相对位置关系进行了分析。结果显示,管道中会产生前驱压力波,并超前火焰阵面甲烷气体在管道传播过程中,出现冲击波反压射、波叠加及反冲现象,压力的持续时间较火焰光信号持续时间长。所做的工作为油气受限空间中燃气燃烧爆炸特性与规律的进一步研究及工业防爆抑爆技术及工艺的实施、系统设计以及关键参数计算提供了理论依据。     

高压储氢系统泄漏爆炸事故的动力学演化

为研究燃料氢气泄漏、爆炸的特性和规律,预防高压储氢系统中氢气泄漏爆炸事故发生,以加氢站为背景,数值仿真45 MPa高压储罐氢气泄漏并引发爆炸事故,分析泄漏爆炸动力学性质以及爆炸波在非均匀氢气浓度中的传播机制。同时,基于泄漏爆炸事故演化的力学机理,开展氢气泄漏爆炸动态风险分析,针对氢气不同泄漏量,建立泄漏扩散形成的气云体积、气云爆炸产生的冲击波与空间x,z方向上危害距离之间关系。研究结果表明：氢气泄漏过程中,气云氢气浓度变化与流场雷诺数具有较好一致性;氢气扩散受到高压储氢罐周围装置影响,流场中氢气浓度分布不均匀;当发生燃烧爆炸事故时,冲击波参数和湍动能变化梯度大;得到复杂布局区域冲击波超压峰值与比例距离之间关系式,其相比于理论方法更精细、计算结果更准确。研究结果可为降低高压储氢系统泄漏爆炸事故后果、采取有效防护措施提供一定依据。     

尿素合成塔爆炸事故机理的研究

尿素合成塔工艺条件复杂,体积庞大,内部物料状态复杂,需要在高温、高压下操作,国内外曾发生过几起著名的尿素合成塔爆炸事故,事故后果非常严重。工艺条件的复杂性加大了事故分析的难度,目前对事故原因众说纷纭。利用数值模拟软件,对尿素合成塔爆炸过程进行研究,对爆炸机理进行分析,对事故发生的原因进行探讨,为预防同类事故提供一定的依据。分析了顶部气相空间爆炸性混合体系的形成和爆炸过程,结合数值模拟得出关键点的压力变化和气相冲击波最终的压力,依据能量守恒推导出液相中冲击波的压力。利用数值模拟得出冲击波在液相中的传播速度和叠加的情况,综合反射、直接透射两部分冲击波进入液相的时间差,找到位于筒体底部的叠加点,冲击波在该处叠加造成筒体破裂,过热液体瞬间气化喷出,引发破坏更大的二次蒸汽大爆炸。     

激波与森林作用的实验研究

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