Effects of flame arrester on H2-Air detonation under different initial pressure propagation in the T-shaped pipeline

Experimentally investigated stoichiometric hydrogen-air mixture detonation propagation under initial pressures from 30 kPa to 100 kPa in a T-shaped pipeline. The numerical simulation revealed the detonation wave propagation mechanism in the flame arrester chamber. The velocity and dynamic pressure were obtained as the aspect ratio (L/h) of flame-arresting elements increased from 60 to 600. The results show that detonation under initial pressure below 70 kPa will quench in L/h > 120, but re-detonation happens in L/h < 120. The detonation attenuation is enhanced with L/h increases and initial pressure decreases; the attenuation intensity increases sharply when 180 < L/h < 300 and decreases when L/h > 300. The flame passing through the flame arrester will propagate into bifurcated pipes, with attenuation in the horizontal pipe more significant than in the vertical pipe. As the L/h increases, the flame attenuation when passing the T-junction intensifies when L/h < 120 and diminishes when L/h > 180, and the flame accelerates when L/h is 60. The flame arrester's outlet velocity becomes the most significant factor determining the flame attenuation in the T-junction.