Chain destruction of methane-hydrogen explosion in utility tunnel to adjacent space

Abstract

Hydrogen is clean energy possible be transported in pipelines under utility tunnels in the future. Current research about gas explosions in the utility tunnel ignored the damage in the adjacent zones, the fire-proof wall, the above ventilated mezzanine and the escape room. The numerical simulation of methane-hydrogen explosion considering the chain destruction is conducted. The results show that the maximum overpressure peak is 6 MPa under 100% H2, and the fire-proof wall will increase the explosive intensity, so the length of one gas compartment should increase to 400 m or 600 m. The maximum overpressure sometimes presents in the adjacent zone rather than the explosive center, and the shock wave will not influence the ventilated mezzanine much. However, the flame will influence ventilated mezzanine, even the ground, so the adjacent zones, ventilated mezzanine and escape room are also dangerous. Therefore, a novel emergency system should be discussed for high-proportion-hydrogen transportation in utility tunnels.