【目的】天然气管道掺氢输送是目前氢能输送的主要方式,随着氢气的掺入,天然气管道内流体的黏度降低,导致湍流生成和发展变得更加复杂。【方法】为了准确预测氢气与天然气掺混后气体的流动特性,提出了一种将大涡模拟(LargeEddySimulation,LES)与舒曼(Schumann)模型耦合的LES-Schumann模型。该模型采用LES分析大尺度涡流特征,同时用Schumann模型捕捉流动不稳定引起的小尺度湍流变化,从而弥补了LES在小尺度湍流建模中的不足。采用LES-Schumann模型对不同掺氢比下的管道混合气体流动特性进行研究,分析了密度、体积分数、湍流黏度、压力等参数的变化,探讨了掺氢比对气体流动、湍流特性及氢脆敏感性等方面的影响。【结果】LES-Schumann模型能够精确预测氢气与天然气掺混后气体的流动特性,其模拟结果与实验数据的平均误差仅为3.422%,验证了该模型在模拟氢气与天然气掺混流动中的高可靠性。随着掺氢比的增加,管道内混合气体的密度逐渐降低,氢气的体积分数增大,管道压力也显著上升,尤其在氢气与天然气的混合起始位置,湍流黏度达到最高值,湍流现象最为剧烈。掺氢比对掺混气体混合均匀性、氢脆敏感性系数的影响呈非线性变化。当掺氢比为20%时,气体混合均匀性最佳,其氢脆敏感性系数仅比掺氢比10%工况下增加0.41%,氢脆化风险较低;当掺氢比增至30%时,气体混合均匀性下降,氢脆化风险随之增加。【结论】LES-Schumann模型可用于预测不同掺氢比下氢气与天然气掺混后气体流动特性,揭示其氢脆化风险。20%的掺氢比能够保证氢气与天然气掺混均匀性最佳,并有效控制由氢气与天然气掺混引起的压力升高、湍流黏度增加及氢脆化风险等潜在问题。研究成果为掺氢天然气管道的优化设计与运行提供了重要的理论依据。(
图 10,参
[34])
[Objective] Currently, hydrogen-blended natural gas transportation is the primary method for hydrogen delivery. The inclusion of hydrogen reduces the viscosity of the fluid in natural gas pipelines, leading to more complex turbulence formation and development. [Methods] To accurately predict the flow characteristics of hydrogen-blended natural gas, a LES-Schumann model was developed by integrating the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) model with the Schumann model. This model employs the LES to analyze large-scale eddy characteristics, while the Schumann model captures small-scale turbulence changes resulting from flow instability, thereby addressing the limitations of LES in small-scale turbulence modeling. The LES-Schumann model was utilized to investigate the flow characteristics of gas mixtures in pipelines with varying hydrogen blending ratios. The analysis focused on changes in density, volume fraction, turbulent viscosity, pressure, and other parameters, discussing the impact of hydrogen blending ratios on gas flow, turbulence characteristics, and hydrogen embrittlement sensitivity. [Results] The LES-Schumann model accurately predicted the flow characteristics of hydrogen-blended natural gas, with an average error of just 3.422% between simulation results and experimental data, demonstrating the model’s high reliability for this application. As the hydrogen blending ratio increased, the density of the gas mixture in the pipeline gradually decreased, while the volume fraction of hydrogen increased and pipeline pressure rose significantly. Notably, at the initial mixing point of hydrogen and natural gas, turbulent viscosity peaked, resulting in the most intense turbulence. The effects of the hydrogen blending ratio on mixing uniformity and the hydrogen embrittlement sensitivity coefficient were nonlinear. At a hydrogen blending ratio of 20%, gas mixing uniformity was optimal, and the hydrogen embrittlement sensitivity coefficient increased by only 0.41% compared to the 10% blending ratio, indicating a low risk of hydrogen embrittlement. However, when the blending ratio rose to 30%, gas mixing uniformity declined, resulting in an increased risk of hydrogen embrittlement. [Conclusion] The LES-Schumann model can predict the flow characteristics of hydrogen-blended natural gas at various blending ratios and assess the risk of hydrogen embrittlement. A blending ratio of 20% achieves optimal mixing uniformity between hydrogen and natural gas while effectively mitigating potential issues such as pressure rise, turbulent viscosity increase, and hydrogen embrittlement risks associated with the mixture. The research findings offer a crucial theoretical foundation for the optimal design and operation of hydrogen-blended natural gas pipelines. (10 Figures, 34 References)