Hydrogen CFD simulation software

DNV and Equinor are focusing on developing KFX for simulation of hydrogen dispersion, fires and explosions, mixtures of hydrogen and other components, in addition to release of liquid hydrogen and corresponding low temperature effects.

Background

The transition to a low-carbon society is reliant upon bringing in new and growing technologies, and hydrogen is expected to play an important role in the future energy mix. As a versatile energy carrier, hydrogen may contribute to significant CO2 emission reductions within several sectors, such as transport, power production, industry, heating and more. Hydrogen can also be a key to more renewable power production from wind and solar, as intermittent surplus of energy can be stored as hydrogen and used to balance availability and demand for energy. However, significant safety challenges, especially related to extremely cold releases (-250°C), fires and explosions, need to be resolved for a wider deployment.

Hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources, or from natural gas reforming combined with CO2 capture and storage, can be transported over long distances to cover energy needs far from the production site. The potential of zero emission transport based on hydrogen will be particularly relevant for heavy vehicles on land and maritime vessels.

Challenge

Hydrogen is typically stored at high pressures, up to 700 bar, or as liquid hydrogen at a very low temperature, typically about -250°C (20K). Any accidental release of liquid hydrogen will have an extremely low temperature and be highly diffusive, turbulent, heavily influenced by buoyancy and will be explosive.

The complex physical interactions involved in hydrogen hazard scenarios are not yet fully understood and available experimental data in literature is limited. Hydrogen flames and fires are expected to have low radiation compared to, for instance, hydrocarbon flames. But experiments done at DNV’s Spadeadam Research and Testing facility indicate that larger hydrogen flames could radiate at a much higher level than expected, which will be further investigated. In addition, releases and fires of hydrogen mixtures, such as with CO, N2 and hydrocarbons, will be addressed. These mixtures are commonly present in industrial processes and power generation.

Objective

The objective of the JIP is to further develop KFX over the next three years, bringing in detailed hydrogen simulation capabilities and supporting a new level of safety for transport and storage of hydrogen. The focus of the new hydrogen development of KFX will be on gas dispersion, fires and explosions, mixtures of hydrogen and other components, in addition to release of liquid hydrogen and corresponding low temperature effects.

Outcome

At the end of the project period a KFX version with hydrogen capabilities that focus on enabling quantitative industrial safety analyses specifically related to dispersion, fires and explosions from accidental hydrogen releases will become commercially available. This will be crucial for safe deployment of hydrogen infrastructure.