Effect of Fire Barrier Height on Low-Temperature Hydrogen Jet Flame Behaviors

Abstract

Low-temperature hydrogen storage could increase the density with less energy loss. However, fire and explosion could be easily induced during the utilization. The installation of a fire barrier is a common means of fire protection, but few studies are conducted on the effect of fire barrier height on the low-temperature hydrogen jet flames. Currently, effects of fire barrier height (0.30, 0.35, 0.40 and 0.45 m) on the low-temperature (140, 180, 220, 260 and 300 K) hydrogen jet flames are experimentally investigated. It is found that the behaviors of the low-temperature hydrogen jet flame on the fire barrier presents three types: Complete Ejection, Part Ejection and No Ejection. The flame height above the fire barrier centerline increases with increase of fire barrier height and decrease of release temperature. The prediction model for flame height is proposed. Two critical dimensionless height separating the complete, part and no ejection are suggested as well. The temperature on the fire barrier increases as the barrier height increases and the release temperature decreases. There is a linear relationship between the inverse maximum temperature and the scaled height. Additionally, the horizontal and vertical normalized temperature distribution both follow a generalized Gaussian distribution. The difference is that the vertical temperature distribution is asymmetric, with temperatures decaying more rapidly upwards than downwards. The results can provide a theoretical basis and data support for the design of the fire barrier and standardization of low-temperature hydrogen storage safety.