A CFD Analysis of Liquid Hydrogen Vessel Explosions using the ADREA-HF Code

Despite hydrogen is one of the most suitable candidates in replacing fossil fuels, its very low densityrepresents a drawback when it is stored. The liquefaction process can increase the hydrogen densityand therefore enhance its storage capacity. The boiling liquid expanding vapour explosion (BLEVE) isa typical accident scenario that must be always considered when liquefied gases are stored. Inparticular, BLEVE is a physical explosion with low probabilities and high consequences which mayoccur after the catastrophic rupture of a vessel containing a liquid with a temperature above its boilingpoint at atmospheric pressure. In this paper, a parametric CFD analysis of the BLEVE phenomenonwas conducted by means of the CFD code ADREA-HF for liquid hydrogen (LH2) vessels. Firstly, theCFD model is validated against a well-documented CO2 BLEVE experiment. Next, hydrogen BLEVEcases are examined. The physical parameters were chosen based on the BMW tests carried out in the1990s on LH2 tanks designed for automotive purposes. Different filling degrees, initial pressures andtemperatures of the tank content are simulated to comprehend how the blast wave is influenced by theinitial conditions. The aim of this study is twofold: provide new insights and observations on theBLEVE dynamics and demonstrate the CFD tool effectiveness for conducting the consequenceanalysis and thus aiding the risk assessment of liquefied gas vessel explosion. Good agreement wasshown between the simulation outcomes and the experimental results.