Prediction of blast load of hydrogen-air cloud explosion in vented silo

Hydrogen’s high flammability presents significant safety risks in industrial applications, particularly during storage and handling. This study focuses on the consequence assessment of hydrogen-air cloud explosions in vented silo structures, which are common in hydrogen processing facilities. Numerical modelling was conducted using FLACS software to predict blast load in vented silos containing premixed hydrogen-air clouds. The simulation results were analysed to investigate the effects of various silo parameters on blast load. Based on these analyses, a theoretical model was developed to predict blast load in these scenarios, which demonstrates strong correlation with simulation results (R² = 0.97 for peak overpressure and R² = 0.99 for impulse). Furthermore, the effect of initial temperatures was also incorporated into the prediction formula. Two demonstration cases were presented to show the application of this model, validating its utility in process safety and risk engineering contexts. The proposed method supports risk-informed design and management of hydrogen systems by providing a practical tool for predicting blast loads in confined, vented environments.