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In the context of the transition to a hydrogen-based economy, the assessment of the risks associated with this energy vector is becoming a priority for industrial safety. The unique properties of hydrogen, its high reactivity and high burning rate, require the use of advanced numerical simulation tools, capable of providing highly accurate predictions of the effects of explosive phenomena. This paper presents methodological contributions aimed at optimizing the numerical models used for the analysis of explosions ...

As is well known, hydrogen exhibits a wide flammability range, low ignition energy, and high diffusivity, which create significant explosion risks in storage and handling facilities. Therefore, the development of effective methods and devices for the detection and control of hydrogen explosions is essential to ensure operational safety. This paper presents the development and experimental validation of an explosion control device intended for hydrogen storage systems. The proposed device is based on an optical ult...

This study investigates the propagation of hydrogen explosions in confined environments, focusing on the influence of geometry on explosion dynamics. Experimental models were developed to analyze the impact of spatial constraints on pressure rise and flame acceleration. Key parameters, including maximum pressure, flame front velocity, and pressure rise rate (dp/dt), were monitored and analyzed. The results highlight that changes in propagation direction significantly influence explosion behavior, leading to higher...

The study of hydrogen explosions in interconnected spaces is essential for safety in industrial and laboratory settings. Due to its highly flammable nature, understanding hydrogen explosion dynamics is essential for risk mitigation. This paper presents an experimental and computational analysis of a hydrogen explosion in a setup with four interconnected chambers. The experimental stand had transparent walls for direct observation. Ignition was initiated to analyze flame propagation, acceleration, and pressure vari...

Hydrogen is gaining popularity as a fuel source for more and more fields around the globe. The use of hydrogen for transport represents one of the important applications of this chemical substance, in this sense the development of infrastructures, but especially the safety of hydrogen filling stations representing an important element. Using hydrogen to power transportation can reduce harmful ozone-depleting emissions while improving air quality. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can help improve air quality and solve c...

In this study, we present the design and implementation of an experimental stand tailored for the analysis of hydrogen explosions with the capability of modifying the propagation direction. Hydrogen explosions pose significant safety concerns in various industrial settings, and understanding their behavior under different conditions is crucial for risk assessment and mitigation strategies. The experimental setup integrates precise control mechanisms to manipulate the direction of explosion propagation, allowing fo...

Risks are present in all economic and industrial activities that manifest themselves both through economic losses, malfunctions of installations and equipment, as well as the occurrence of minor or major accidents with particularly serious consequences resulting in deaths and injuries, pollution of the environment. The assessment of risk levels stimulates the co-interest of economic operators to improve their working and environmental conditions, respectively to take measures to move from high risk levels to lower...

Given the large interest for future uses of hydrogen, special safety measures have to be implemented for avoiding potential accidents. The broad objective of the research study is represented by the development and testing of experimental models representing areas of analysis and study for the initiation and combustion of air-hydrogen mixtures, respectively by numerical modelling of these phenomena, in order to obtain appropriate input data sets for precision computer simulations of chemical explosions of air- hyd...

Explosive atmospheres may occur both in underground mining, as well as in surface industries such as the oil and gas, chemical, petrochemical, wood or baker industries, basically in all industries which extract, process, use, transport or store flammable substances. Within the European Union, Directive 2014/34/EU regulates the placing on the market of equipment, protective systems and components intended for use in such hazardous atmospheres. In this regard, for proofing the compliance with the essential safety re...

Operations carried out within the oil and gas industry involve the risk of explosions which might lead to work accidents with significant consequences for personnel and installations. The release of a hydrocarbon gas due to various reasons such as improper selected equipment or its’ malfunction, staff negligence, lack of maintenance a.s.o. in mixture with air generates a potentially explosive atmosphere if the mixture’s concentration ranges between certain limits, the so-called Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) and Uppe...

Worldwide, the increased demand for various chemical products has led to an increased production activity of chemical plants involving the use of a large variety of chemicals. Most of the chemical substances used by the plants on a regular basis are considered to be highly hazardous, having toxic, explosive or flammable properties. The production, use, transportation or storage of such hazardous chemicals involves special occupational health and safety measures which have to be taken into account by the employers....

Risk assessment is a concept introduced for analysing the safety level in workplaces in order to assess if enough and proper precautions have been taken or if their number and quality should be improved so that to prevent hazardous situations. The underground coal mining industry is very hazardous, facing serious fatalities related to work, workplaces and workers as a consequence of the high-risk processes carried out underground and of the hazardous toxic and explosive atmosphere. The use of electrical equipment ...

Process and plant design need to be continuously improved, the use of new safety concepts to a full extent being one of the key parameters leading to their sustainable improvement. Accidents occurred over time in industrial facilities where explosive gas or vapor atmospheres may be present have put the explosion risks high on the agenda of regulators, operators, accident investigators or researchers in the field. Accidental flammable gas leaks in mixture with air may generate explosive atmospheres which once ignit...

Testing and certification of explosion-proof electrical equipment required for product conformity assessment are extremely important, taking into account the unexpected hazard of explosion occurrence due to potentially explosive atmospheres generated by mixtures of air-gas/dust. The explosion risk has to be minimized in order to ensure the health and safety of people and for preventing material damages. The new European Directive which regulates the protection to explosion field is the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU wh...