Study of key parameters in modeling liquid hydrogen release and dispersion in open environment

Abstract

Hydrogen storage in liquid state is considered key feature to its efficient volumetric density for transportation applications. However, there are several hazards associated with handling liquid hydrogen, e.g. fire, explosion, asphyxiation in indoor accidents, and frostbites due to exposure in extremely low temperatures. Predictive capabilities of liquid hydrogen dispersion are essential for developing emergency response plans and facilitate the understanding of the physical problem. In the present study, the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methodology is employed to simulate the dispersion of liquid hydrogen based on experiment conducted by the Health Safety Laboratory (HSL), in order to investigate several factors that greatly influence dispersion modeling. The flashed vapour fraction at the pipe exit is estimated assuming isenthalpic expansion combined with the NIST equation of state. Modeling the condensation of ambient humidity and air components (nitrogen and oxygen) and imposing transient wind profile are the main issues addressed by the present study. The Homogeneous Equilibrium Model (HEM model) is compared against the Non-Homogeneous Equilibrium Model (NHEM model) to account for slip effects of the non-vapour phase. To estimate the slip velocity in the NHEM model a methodology (momentum slip model) is employed, which solves along with the conservation equations for the mixture the momentum conservation equation of the non-vapour phase. Comparison of the momentum slip model with the algebraic slip model shows that the latter overestimates the slip velocity for large particles and thus its use needs special attention. Overall satisfactory agreement was found with the experimental data when all the above parameters were modelled.