Experimental investigation of shock wave propagation, spontaneous ignition, and flame development of high-pressure hydrogen release through tubes with different obstacles arrangements

Experiments on shock waves propagation, spontaneous ignition, and flame development during high-pressure hydrogen release through tubes with symmetrical obstacles (O1-1) and asymmetrical obstacles (O1-2) are conducted. The obstacle's side is triangular with a length of 4 mm, a height of 3.6 mm, and its width is 15 mm. In the experiments, a reflected shock wave generates and propagates both upstream and downstream when the leading shock wave encounters the obstacle. At the same burst pressure, the reflected shock wave intensity in tube O1-1 is significantly greater than that in tube O1-2. Moreover, the presence of obstacles in the tube can induce spontaneous ignition. The minimum burst pressures for spontaneous ignition for tubes O1-1 and O1-2 are 2.84 MPa and 3.28 MPa respectively, lower than that for the smooth tube. Furthermore, both the initial ignition position and ignition time are greatly advanced in obstruction tubes, mainly affected by obstacle positions and burst pressures. Finally, the flame separation process near the obstacle is observed. After passing the obstacle, the flames grow rapidly in radial and axial directions on the tube sidewalls. And at the same burst pressure, the flame convergence time in tube O1-2 is usually longer than that in tube O1-1.(c) 2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.