Scenarios of hydrogen-air ignition during the interaction of a shock wave with a destructible barrier.

The work studies scenarios of self-ignition of hydrogen-air mixtures after a shock wave reflects from a destructible barrier made of sand or a solid wall. The experiments were carried out using a shock tube. The transverse dimensions of the diagnostic section were 40 × 40 mm. The initial pressure of the hydrogen-air mixture varied from 10 kPa to 50 kPa. The molar excess of hydrogen (equivalence ratio) was 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5. Typical oscillograms of pressure, a photomultiplier tube, and the results of high-speed visualization using the Schlieren method are presented. When the shock wave interacted with the destructible barrier, a thermodynamic unloading of shock-compressed mixture occurred in the direction of the scattering of fragments of the barrier. It was shown that under certain conditions, self-ignition of hydrogen could be prevented by using a destructible barrier. In this case, the prevention was recorded in a narrow range of Mach numbers of the incident shock wave, which are characterized by the occurrence of the so-called "weak" (or "mild") ignition of the hydrogen-air mixture. The conditions for strong ignition behind the reflected shock wave, as well as during the interaction of the reflected shock wave with the flame front behind the incident shock wave, were determined. The results of the presented experimental work are aimed at ensuring explosion safety when working with hydrogen in a confined space. [Display omitted] • The interaction of a shock wave with a sand barrier was studied. • Scenarios for self-ignition behind a reflected shock wave were determined. • Self-ignition can be prevented by placing a sand barrier instead of a solid wall. • The pressure ratios were determined during self-ignition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]