Rethinking “BLEVE explosion” after liquid hydrogen storage tank rupture in a fire

The underlying physical mechanisms leading to the generation of blast waves after liquid hydrogen (LH2) storage tank rupture in a fire are not yet fully understood. This makes it difficult develop predictive models and validate them against very limited number experiments. study aims at development CFD model able predict maximum pressure wave LH2 fire. performed critical review previous works thorough numerical analysis BMW experiments (LH2 range 2.0–11.3 bar abs) allowed us conclude that is generated by gaseous phase starting shock enhanced combustion reaction contact surface with heated air. boiling expanding vapour explosion (BLEVE) peak follows smaller amplitude. validated recently high-pressure essentially updated this account for cryogenic conditions storage. simulation results provided insight into dynamics, demonstrating contributes significantly wave, increasing overpressure 3 m from up 5 times. developed can be used as contemporary tool safety engineering, e.g. assessment hazard distances