CFD modeling of hydrogen release and dispersion in a congested container

TL;DR

This paper uses CFD simulations to analyze hydrogen release and dispersion in a congested container, validating the model against experimental data and emphasizing safety considerations for confined environments.

Contribution

It presents a validated CFD modeling approach for hydrogen dispersion in congested spaces, incorporating leakages and complex flow conditions.

Findings

Model accurately predicts hydrogen concentration distribution.

Leakages significantly affect dispersion patterns.

Simulation results align with experimental measurements.

Abstract

Hydrogen plays an important role in driving decarbonization within the current global energy landscape. As hydrogen infrastructures rapidly expand beyond their traditional applications, there is a need for comprehensive safety practices, solutions, and regulations. Within this framework, the dispersion of hydrogen in enclosed facilities presents a significant safety concern due to its potential for explosive accidents. In this study, hydrogen dispersion in a confined and congested environment (37 m${}^3$ container) is studied using computational fluid dynamics simulations. The experimental setup mirrors previous INERIS investigations, featuring a centrally located hydrogen injection point on the floor with a 20 mm diameter injector and a release rate of 35 g/s, resulting in a Froude number of 650. This yields an inertial jet and a challenging dispersion scenario for numerical prediction. Concentration mapping is carried out by 3 oxygen analyzers distributed throughout the 37 m3 chamber. Comparisons are made between the measured and numerical data to validate the solver used under such conditions. Best practice guidelines are followed, and sensitivity studies involving grid refinement and boundary conditions are conducted to ensure robust simulation results. The findings highlight the model's ability to reproduce the hydrogen concentration distribution for both empty and congested containers and underline the role of accounting for leakages in such scenarios.