Evaluation of a DNS-Based Correlation for Hydrogen Flame Propagation in RANS Simulations Using STOKES

Hydrogen is a promising fuel for the energy transition due to its high energy content and zero carbon emissions during combustion. However, its wide flammability range in air necessitates thorough safety assessments, especially in confined, obstacle-filled industrial environments. This study presents a numerical analysis of premixed hydrogen-air flame propagation using STOKES (Shock Towards Kinetic Explosion Simulator), a Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes based software. A correlation for the unstretched laminar flame speed, derived from Direct Numerical Simulation data, was implemented in a geometry with cylindrical obstacles. The results qualitatively reproduce key physical phenomena, including flame deceleration, turbulence-induced oscillations, and pressure wave interactions, supporting the use of STOKES for preliminary safety analyses in hydrogen combustion scenarios.