DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF NUMERICAL MODEL FOR PREDICTING LIQUID HYDROGEN LEAKAGE PROCESS

Liang Yanwei; Liu Hongmin; Qu Yongfeng; Xie Ningning; Chang Yong; Li Kongrong

doi:10.19912/j.0254-0096.tynxb.2024-2107

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Acta Energiae Solaris Sinica ›› 2026, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (4) : 551-560. DOI: 10.19912/j.0254-0096.tynxb.2024-2107

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF NUMERICAL MODEL FOR PREDICTING LIQUID HYDROGEN LEAKAGE PROCESS

Liang Yanwei^1,3, Liu Hongmin^1,2, Qu Yongfeng³, Xie Ningning⁴, Chang Yong⁴, Li Kongrong¹

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Abstract

Liquid hydrogen leakage rapidly vaporizes and forms a hydrogen cloud, posing safety risks and necessitating mechanistic studies. To this end, this study develops a numerical model based on the open-source CFD code OpenFOAM to simulate multiphase flow behavior during liquid hydrogen leakage. The numerical model employs the PIMPLE algorithm, capable of simulating complex processes, including multiphase flow, multicomponent mixing, phase change, diffusion mass transfer, and heat transfer. For model validation, large-scale liquid hydrogen leak experimental data from NASA is used as a reference, comparing the model predictions with experimental data. The comparison includes hydrogen concentration contour distribution, time-varying concentration curves, and hydrogen concentration cloud maps. Results show a good agreement between simulation outcomes and experimental data, with deviations within acceptable limits, validating the model’s reliability. This paper provides a detailed description of the model development and validation methodology, aiming to offer a scientific basis for the numerical simulation of liquid hydrogen leak behavior and theoretical support for the safe application of liquid hydrogen.

Key words

hydrogen / cryogenic liquid / gas diffusion / numerical methods / liquid hydrogen

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Liang Yanwei, Liu Hongmin, Qu Yongfeng, Xie Ningning, Chang Yong, Li Kongrong. DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF NUMERICAL MODEL FOR PREDICTING LIQUID HYDROGEN LEAKAGE PROCESS[J]. Acta Energiae Solaris Sinica. 2026, 47(4): 551-560 https://doi.org/10.19912/j.0254-0096.tynxb.2024-2107

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