Modeling of turbulent deflagration behaviors of premixed hydrogen-air in closed space with obstacles

Abstract

The propagation of premixed hydrogen-air deflagration flames in a closed duct with different shapes of obstacles was investigated using large eddy simulation (LES). The turbulent flame wrinkling factor in the LES subgrid turbulent combustion model is dynamically modeled based on Charlette's power-law model. The LES results obtained by the dynamic flame surface density (DFSD) model can accurately match the experimental data quantitatively and qualitatively. Numerical results show that the triangular obstacle induces a higher peak overpressure, 7% and 30% higher than that in the square and circle, respectively. The formation of juxtaposed tulip flames is discovered, and the topological analysis of the velocity vector field reveals that the vortex at the tail of the obstacle is the main inducing factor for its formation. Additionally, the Karlovitz number is used to quantify the degree of turbulence-flame interaction, and the transition of deflagration flame from "wrinkled flame" to "thin reaction zone" is observed. The research helps to understand the mechanism of deflagration flame propagation induced by obstacles and provides critical information for safety planning and explosion protection.