Hydrogen jet flames

A critical review and rethinking of hydrogen jet flame research is carried out. Froude number only based correlations are shown to be deficient for under-expanded jet fires. The novel dimensionless flame length correlation is developed accounting for effects of Froude, Reynolds, and Mach numbers. The correlation is validated for pressures 0.1-90.0 MPa, temperatures 80-300 K, and leak diameters 0.4-51.7 mm. Three distinct jet flame regimes are identified: traditional buoyancy-controlled, momentum-dominated "plateau" for expanded jets, and momentum-dominated "slope" for under-expanded jets. The statement "calculated flame length may be obtained by substitution the concentration corresponding to the stoichiometric mixture in equation of axial concentration decay for non-reacting jet" is shown to be incorrect. The correct average value for non-premixed turbulent flames is 11% by volume of hydrogen in air (range 8%-16%) not stoichiometric 29.5%. All three conservative separation distances for jet fire are shown to be longer than separation distance for non-reacting jet. Copyright (c) 2012, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.