Computational Analysis of Minimum Ignition Energy of Hydrogen–Air Mixtures: Influence of Chemical Reaction Mechanisms

In this study, computational fluid dynamics simulations were performed to quantitatively evaluate the minimum ignition energy of premixed hydrogen–air mixtures using two detailed chemical kinetic mechanisms: GRI-Mech 3.0 and San Diego Mechanism. By systematically varying the ignition energy, the San Diego Mechanism predicted an MIE of 19.6 <i>μ</i>J, with only a 4.1% deviation from the reference value, whereas GRI-Mech 3.0 predicted 28.6 <i>μ</i>J, corresponding to a 49.8% error. These discrepancies are attributed to differences in the reaction pathways and rate constants defined in the two mechanisms. Notably, the San Diego Mechanism exhibited consistently higher rate constants for key chain-branching reactions, facilitating enhanced radical accumulation and more favorable conditions for ignition initiation.