Critical criterion for spontaneous ignition of high-pressure hydrogen released into the atmosphere through a tube

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy 2024-11, Vol.92, p.342-348
• Main Authors: Zhang, Songlin, Zeng, Qian, Tang, Jing, Jiang, Guangbo, Jiang, Yiming, Duan, Qiangling, Sun, Jinhua
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Critical criterion; High-pressure hydrogen; Similarity analysis; Spontaneous ignition
• ISSN: 0360-3199
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.10.166

Spontaneous ignition induced by high-pressure hydrogen leakage has primarily been discussed qualitatively, focusing on factors such as release pressure, downstream tube size, and the rupture of the burst disk. However, quantitative investigations and prediction models remain limited and unclear. In this paper, we introduce the relative molecular mass M and delve into its influence on the critical pressure threshold for spontaneous ignition of high-pressure hydrogen leaks. Additionally, we introduce the mass flow rate Q, as a metric to quantify the impact of opening area and shape on the ignition process. By integrating six key factors, including tube diameter D, tube length L, atmospheric pressure Pa, burst disk opening time t, gas mass flow rate Q, and gas relative molecular mass M, four dimensionless factors affecting the critical leakage pressure were determined by using similarity analysis. The correlation between the dimensionless numbers was verified by correlation analysis and calibrated to the experiments of this paper and other authors. Finally, a critical criterion for spontaneous ignition from leakage in high-pressure hydrogen tubes was established to provide a basis for safety evaluation and prevention techniques for high-pressure hydrogen. [Display omitted] •The effect of the relative molecular mass of gases in the high-pressure region on the spontaneous ignition of high-pressure hydrogen leakage is discussed.•The dimensionless parameter affecting the critical pressure for spontaneous ignition of high-pressure hydrogen leakage is investigated.•The critical pressure criterion for the spontaneous ignition of high-pressure hydrogen leakage is established.