Numerical Modelling of Gas Explosion Overpressure Mitigation Effects

Abstract

The main aims of this study are to assess numerically the mitigation effects caused by the solid wall installed at the fueling station in order to protect personnel from the consequences of the emergent gas explosion, evaluate the optimal location of the wall and choose the appropriate material the wall have to be made of in order not to be destructed. A three-dimensional mathematical model of an explosion of hydrogen-air cloud is used. A computer technology how to define the personnel damage probability fields on the basis of probit analysis of the explosion wave is developed. The mathematical model takes into account the complex terrain and three-dimensional non-stationary nature of the shock wave propagation process. The model allows obtaining time-spatial distribution of damaging factors (overpressure in the shock wave front and the compression phase impulse) required to determine the three-dimensional non-stationary damage probability fields based on probit analysis. The developed computer technology allows to carry out an automated analysis of the safety situation at the fueling station and to conduct a comparative analysis of the effectiveness of different types of material the protective facilities made of.