Quantitative Risk Analysis of New Energy Stations by CFD-Based Explosion Simulation

Abstract In this research, we compared the safety of mixture fuel which is composed of 20% new energy and 80% existing gas against existing fuel in the perspective of explosion risk that would be the biggest concern in the operation of new-energy stations. The new mixture will be used in the existing station in Korea without any changing the structure. The explosion risk was analyzed and compared by three representative models: empirical model, phenomenological model, and a CFD-based model, in increased model complexity and computational efforts. Overpressures of explosion of mixture and existing fuel, respectively, showed similar results, in all three models. Thus, it seems like there is no additional risk in using mixture at the existing refueling facilities. CFD-based explosion simulation was useful in finding out the exact overpressure distribution and installation of prevention equipment if necessary. The final results are being adopted as part of new safety regulations for the new and existing mixture stations to be operated in Korea.