Open Access

For industrial applications dealing with hydrogen, the definition of safety distances and the assessment of possible hazards emanating from releases is mandatory. Since hydrogen is usually stored and transported under pressure, one scenario to be considered is the momentum driven release of hydrogen from a leakage with subsequent ignition. In this scenario, the emitted heat radiation from the resulting jet flame to the surroundings has to be determined to define adequate safety distances. For hydrocarbon flames, different jet flame models are available to assess the hazards resulting from an ignited jet release. Since hydrogen flames differ from hydrocarbon flames in their combustion behavior, it has to be checked if these models are also applicable for hydrogen. To evaluate the accuracy of these models for hydrogen jet flames, tests with a horizontal outlet at large-scale are carried out at the BAM Test Site for Technical Safety (BAM-TTS). Herein, the flame geometry and the heat radiation at defined locations in the surroundings are recorded for varying release parameters such as release pressure (currently up to max. 250 bar), mass flow (up to max. 0.175 kg/s) at an outlet diameter of 30 mm (with an upstream nozzle of 7.7 mm). The challenge here is the characterization of the flame geometry in an open environment and its impact on the thermal radiation. Existing heat radiation data from the literature are mostly based on unsteady outflow conditions. For a better comparability with the steady state jet flame models, the experiments presented here are focused on ensuring a constant mass flow over the release duration (currently 120 s) to obtain a stationary jet flame. In addition, stationary outflow tests with hydrocarbons (methane) were also carried out, which are intended to serve as reference tests for checking flame models based on hydrocarbon data. The comparison of the flame geometry shows that hydrogen jet flames with the same outlet mass flow have a greater flame length (average deviation of 15 %) but a smaller flame diameter than methane jet flames (average deviation of 17 %). Conclusions regarding thermal radiation show that the proportion of total combustion energy emitted as thermal radiation is lower for hydrogen (x_rad= 0.04–0.09) than for methane (x_rad = 0.06–0.1). A comparison of the surface emissive power (SEP) of the jet flame shows a SEP range of 7 kW/m2-15 kW/m2 for hydrogen and 3 kW/m2 - 9,5 kW/m2 for methane.

Hydrogen is a promising alternative to natural gas in industrial energy applications which would serve the goal of limiting global warming. However, wide application of hydrogen requires specific safety considerations taking into account that hydrogen is stored and transported under much higher pressure than natural gas. Thus, one scenario to be considered for hazard assessment is a sudden release of hydrogen from a leakage or safety valve and its subsequent ignition. For hydrocarbon flames, various jet flame models are available. However, hydrogen flames significantly differ from hydrocarbon flames in their combustion behavior, so that the applicability of these models to hydrogen has to be investigated. For that purpose, reals scale tests were carried out at the BAM Test Site Technical Safety. In addition, hydrocarbon jet flames (methane) were investigated. In these tests, the flame geometry and the thermal heat radiation were investigated for a release angle of 90°, for different release pressures (up to 220 bar) and mass flows (up to 0.175 kg/s). While existing heat radiation data from the literature are mostly based on unsteady outflow conditions and/or releases in still air, the experiments presented here are focused on ensuring a constant mass flow over the release duration under realistic free field conditions (with wind influence). This allows a better comparability with the stationary jet flame models and assessment of wind influence on model predictions. A number of parameters such as the surface emissive power of the jet flame and the radiant heat fraction were determined. A detailed comparison of the obtained experimental results with literature radiation models was performed. Good agreement between experimental and literature data was found for hydrogen whereas significant differences were identified for methane. Based on the investigations, empirical equations for modelling jet flames could be derived.

In order to reduce global warming, the use of hydrogen as a renewable energy source is becoming more important. To enable this transition, unprecedently large amounts of hydrogen need to be safely transported and stored. Since hydrogen is usually stored and transported under pressure, one scenario to be considered is the release of hydrogen from a leakage with subsequent ignition. The resulting jet flame must be characterized with respect to the thermal radiation emitted into the environment to define safety distances. Various models that characterize the resulting flame shape and radiation already exist in the literature, but these are mainly based on empirical data from hydrocarbon jet flames. To verify the applicability of these models to hydrogen, real-scale tests are carried out at the BAM Test Site for Technical Safety (BAM-TTS) with the aim to assess the flame geometry and the emitted thermal radiation. Parameters such as leakage diameter (currently up to 30 mm), pressure (currently up to max. 250 bar) and mass flow (up to max. 0.5 kg/s) are varied. In particular, the focus will be laid on the measurement and modelling of the thermal radiation. The challenge here is the characterization of the flame geometry in an open environment and its impact on the thermal radiation. Existing heat radiation data from literature are mostly based on unsteady outflow conditions. The experimental setup used here allows for the generation of a steady-state outflow for several minutes and thus a direct comparability with existing (steady-state) models. Furthermore, stationary outflow tests with hydrocarbons (methane) were also carried out, which are intended to serve as reference tests for checking flame models based on hydrocarbon data. Following from the experimental investigations, modelling parameters such as the Surface Emissive Power (SEP) and the radiant heat fraction for hydrogen and methane will be compared to literature data.

In order to reduce the human footprint of CO2 emissions and limit global warming effects hydrogen combustion is becoming increasingly important. To enable fuel cells and gas turbines to operates this carbon free fuel, unprecedently large amounts of hydrogen need to be produced and safely transported and stored. The investigation of the effects of accidents involving hydrogen is therefore becoming of outmost importance. Since hydrogen is usually stored and transported under pressure, one scenario to be considered is the release of hydrogen from a leakage with subsequent ignition. The resulting jet flame must be characterized with respect to the thermal radiation emitted into the environment to define safety regulations. Various models that characterize the resulting flame shape and radiation already exist in the literature, but these are mainly based on empirical data from hydrocarbon jet flames.[1-4] To verify these models, a H2 Jet Flame project conducted at BAM, is investigating the safety of momentum driven hydrogen jet flames. For this purpose, large-scale tests are carried out at the Test Site Technical Safety (BAM-TTS). The object of the investigations is to assess the effects of real scale release scenarios regarding flame geometry and the thermal radiation emitted. Parameters such as release angle, leakage diameter (currently 1 mm to 10 mm), pressure (currently up to max. 250 bar) and mass flow (up to max. 0.5 kg/s) are varied. In addition, influences such as the type of ignition, ignition location as well as delayed ignition can also be investigated. The gained knowledge will be compared with existing jet flame models, to validate these and identify a possible need for further development. In particular, the focus will be laid on the thermal radiation of hydrogen flames. The challenge here is the visualization and characterization of the flame geometry in an open environment. Visualization is performed using infrared (IR) camera systems from at least two viewing angles. Measurements of the heat radiation of jet flames, which can be found in the literature, are mostly based on unsteady outflow conditions. The experimental setup used here allows for the generation of a steady-state outflow for several minutes and thus a direct comparability with existing (steady-state) models. Furthermore, the tests can be carried out for comparative measurements with hydrocarbons (methane, etc.) as well as mixtures of hydrogen and hydrocarbons.

For industrial applications dealing with hydrogen, the definition of safety distances and the assessment of possible hazards emanating from releases is mandatory. Since hydrogen is usually stored and transported under pressure, one scenario to be considered is the momentum driven release of hydrogen from a leakage with subsequent ignition. In this scenario, the emitted heat radiation from the resulting jet flame to the surroundings has to be determined to define adequate safety distances. For hydrocarbon flames, different jet flame models are available to assess the hazards resulting from an ignited jet release. Since hydrogen flames differ from hydrocarbon flames in their combustion behavior, it has to be checked if these models are also applicable for hydrogen. To evaluate the accuracy of these models for hydrogen jet flames, tests at real-scale are carried out at the BAM Test Site for Technical Safety (BAM-TTS). Herein, the flame geometry and the heat radiation at defined locations in the surroundings are recorded for varying release parameters such as leakage diameter (currently up to 30 mm), release pressure (currently up to max. 250 bar) and mass flow (up to max. 0.5 kg/s). The challenge here is the characterization of the flame geometry in an open environment and its impact on the thermal radiation. Existing heat radiation data from the literature are mostly based on unsteady outflow conditions. For a better comparability with the steady state jet flame models, the experiments presented here are focused on ensuring a constant mass flow over the release duration to obtain a (quasi) stationary jet flame. In addition, stationary outflow tests with hydrocarbons (methane) were also carried out, which are intended to serve as reference tests for checking flame models based on hydrocarbon data.