Cryogenic hydrogen jet flames

Hydrogen plays an important role to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. The transport and storage of cryogenic liquid hydrogen (CryoLH2) is considered the most effective option for scaling up the hydrogen supply infrastructure. Ignition of unintended release of CryoLH2 would result in jet flames.

The underlying physics is complex involving cryogenic jets, flashing, intense phase change, droplets, spray, ignition, and combustion. Insight is lacking about the evolution of flame characteristics and modes with the variation of ignition location and timing. The project aims to gain such insight through numerical simulations with validated models and formulate recommendations for the safety of CryoLH2.

The specific objectives include:

1. Develop and validate a robust solver based on the in-house code HiSMART for the ignition and combustion of cryogenic liquid hydrogen jets; 2. Using the solver to gain insight and fill the knowledge gaps about the flame characteristics of CryoLH2.