Effects of significant damage of flame gap surfaces in flameproof electrical apparatus on flame gap efficiency

Electrical apparatus for use in the presence of explosive gas atmospheres has to be specially designed to prevent the apparatus from igniting the gas. Flameproof design is one of several options, and one requirement is then that any holes and slits in the enclosure wall be designed to prevent a possible gas explosion inside the enclosure from being transmitted to an explosive gas cloud outside it. Current standards (IEC) require that joint surfaces have a surface roughness of <6.3 μm. Any damaged joint surface has be restored to this quality. The present investigation has demonstrated that flame gap surfaces in flameproof electrical apparatuses can suffer considerable mechanical and corrosive damage before the flame gaps no longer function satisfactorily. In some cases very significant mechanical surface damage in fact improves the gap performance. This indicates that current high costs of repairing and replacing flameproof electrical apparatus in process plants offshore and onshore can be reduced considerably without any increase of the explosion risk.     

Comparison of explosion parameters for Methane–Air mixture in different cylindrical flameproof enclosures

Flameproof enclosures having internal electrical components are generally used in classified hazardous areas such as underground coalmines, refineries and places where explosive gas atmosphere may be formed. Flameproof enclosure can withstand the pressure developed during an internal explosion of an explosive mixture due to electrical arc, spark or hot surface of internal electrical components. The internal electrical component of a flameproof enclosure can form ignition source and also work as an obstacle in the explosion wave propagation. The ignition source position and obstacle in a flameproof enclosure have significant effect on explosion pressure development and rate of explosion pressure rise. To study this effect three cylindrical flameproof enclosures with different diameters and heights are chosen to perform the experiment. The explosive mixture used for the experiment is stoichiometric composition of methane in air at normal atmospheric pressure and temperature.It is observed that the development of maximum explosion pressure (P_max) and maximum rate of explosion pressure rise (dp/dt)_ex in a cylindrical flameproof enclosure are influenced by the position of ignition source, presence of internal metal or non-metal obstacles (component). The severity index, K_G is also calculated for the cylindrical enclosures and found that it is influenced by position of ignition source as well as blockage ratios (BR) of the obstacles in the enclosures.     

爆炸危险场所及其应用的电气设备

简要介绍了爆炸危险场所的分级、防爆电气设备选用的原则，并从设备外壳和表面温度两方面论述了爆炸性气体环境中的隔爆型电气设备与爆炸性粉尘环境中的粉尘防爆电气设备的异同点     

Dynamic response and effect of apertures on explosion parameters of flameproof apparatus

Explosion parameters for closed flameproof apparatus are changed when apertures like gap (e.g. push button) and porous structures (breathing element) are introduced on the cover or wall of the flameproof enclosures. Similarly, an interconnecting tube between two enclosures, results in significant change in explosion parameters. It is observed that the maximum explosion pressure, maximum rate of pressure rise and severity index are higher for enclosures with apertures on cover or body than that of enclosures without apertures. In case of two interconnected identical enclosures, the explosion parameters are increased in the secondary enclosure and higher than that of primary enclosure and also of isolated enclosure.     

隔爆型电机在火炸药危险场所应用的安全性分析

针对普通隔爆型电机应用于火炸药粉尘危险场所的安全性问题进行定量分析,设计壳体粉尘侵入量试验,系统研究不同间隙下的粉尘侵入量,根据试验数据,应用曲线外推法及阿贝尔(Abel)余容状态方程计算爆压,结合材料力学及薄壁理论进行隔爆型电气设备外壳强度及刚度的校核。计算表明:若壳体内粉尘较均匀的悬浮在空中,切向应力与许用应力处于同一数量级;如果火炸药粉尘在轴承室、接线盒等局部堆积成火炸药层,切向应力比许用应力大两个数量级。试验结果强调:用于火炸药粉尘危险场所的电气设备必须有特殊的防爆结构设计,普通的隔爆电机用于火炸药粉尘危险环境时存在一定的安全隐患。     

Acceleration sensitivity of piezoelectric pressure sensors and the influence on the measurement of explosion pressures

To measure the explosion pressure inside an enclosure, it is common to install a piezoelectric pressure sensor in the enclosure wall. The pressure wave of the internal explosion inevitably leads to vibrations of the enclosure walls. This unwanted but naturally occurring motion is also transmitted to the pressure sensor mounted in the enclosure wall and results in inertial forces affecting the piezoelectric element. During the measurement of the explosion pressure, this affects the output signal of the pressure sensor since an undesired signal due to the acceleration of the pressure sensor is superimposed on the desired pressure signal. This behaviour of the sensor is described as acceleration sensitivity. The level of acceleration sensitivity depends on the type and construction design of the pressure sensor. Even though this sensor behaviour is basically not a new phenomenon, the evaluation of an international comparison between Ex testing laboratories in the field of flameproof enclosures has shown that the consideration of this issue is a major challenge in daily practice concerning the measurement of explosion pressures and is even often completely neglected.This work evaluates the behaviour of various piezoelectric pressure sensors with respect to the influence of acceleration and investigates the specific impact on the explosion pressure measurement in the field of flameproof enclosures. For this purpose, explosions from typically used explosive mixtures such as hydrogen, propane and ethyne in air are examined. These investigations involve simple model enclosures with various specifications as well as a commercially available equipment for hazardous areas. By using blind holes and specially designed adapters, a practical method is applied to be able to detect the effect of acceleration on the sensor signal separately from the pressure signal. For this purpose, both the discrete-time pressure curves and the frequency components are analysed using Fast Fourier Transform. The use of signal filters as a practical and fast approach to address these unwanted signal components is discussed and evaluated.This paper provides guidelines for typical end-users in the field of flameproof enclosures how to handle acceleration of piezoelectric pressure sensors and the influence on the measurement of explosion pressures correctly.     

The influence of inert gas on limiting experimental safe gap of fuel-air mixtures at various initial pressures

The Maximum Experimental Safe Gap (MESG) is an important criterion to assess the propagation of flames through small gaps. This safety-related parameter is used to classify the flammable gases and vapors in explosion groups, which are fundamental to constructional explosion protection. It is used both, for the safe design of flameproof encapsulated devices as well as for selecting flame arresters appropriate to the individual application. The MESG of a fuel is determined experimentally according to the standard ISO/IEC 80079-20-1:2017 at normal conditions (20 °C, 1.0 bar) with air as oxidizing gas. The aim of this work is to investigate the effect of inert gas addition on the MESG in order to assess the effectiveness of inertization in constructional explosion protection. The term limiting experimental safe gap (S_G) is used for the result of these measurements. The fuel-air mixtures (fuels: hydrogen, ethylene, propene, methane) used as representatives for the explosion groups in flame arrester testing were chosen and diluted with inert gas (nitrogen, carbon dioxide) before testing. The dependence of the limiting experimental safe gap on the total initial pressure, amount and nature of inert additive is discussed. The initial pressure was varied up to 2.0 bar to include increased pressure conditions used in flame arrester testing. Apart from the well-known reciprocal dependence on the initial pressure, the added inert gas results in an exponential increase of S_G. This effect depends on the inertizing potential of the gas and is therefore different with nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The ranking of the fuels is the same as with MESG. As a result, various mixtures of the same limiting experimental safe gap can now be chosen and tested with an individual flame arrester to prove the concept of a constant and device-related limiting safe gap. The work was funded by BG-RCI in Heidelberg (PTB grant number 37056).     

防爆电气设备隔爆外壳最大试验安全间隙及其影响因素

在爆炸性气体环境中安装使用的电气设备应为防爆电气设备。本文扼要讲解了间隙隔爆的机制和最大试验安全间隙的概念。从实验和理论上阐述了影响隔爆外壳最大试验安全间隙的因素。提出了隔爆型电气设备设计、安装、使用应注意的方面。     

基于SPH-FEM耦合法的含缺陷输气管道爆炸冲击响应研究

针对大口径埋地输气管道发生物理爆炸对并行含体积缺陷邻管的冲击行为，利用LS-DYNA和LS-PREPOST有限元软件建立基于光滑粒子流体动力学-有限单元法的管-土-炸药耦合模型，分析不同缺陷深度、不同缺陷表面积、不同缺陷位置和不同爆心距下邻管的动力响应；基于爆腔预估公式和峰值振速经验公式，验证了所建耦合模型的可靠性，并通过设计算例开展多工况分析。研究结果表明:迎爆面上的缺陷处为动力响应的热点区域，最大响应特征值（应力、位移与振速）位于缺陷中心处，随缺陷深度的增加或管间距的减小特征值增速由平缓到急剧；相比缺陷位置和表面尺寸对管道的扰动程度，缺陷深度和爆心距对管道的动力响应影响较大；在本研究的条件下，建议埋地并行输气管道的安全间距不应小于5.16 m，且腐蚀深度不大于管道壁厚的0.633 6倍。研究结果可为埋地输气管道极端灾害下的风险评估提供技术支撑，为并行管道可能的抗爆隔爆设计提供模拟数据支持。     

圆管状隔爆产品爆炸压力测试实验研究

为了研究隔爆产品内部的爆炸压力,选取了圆管状隔爆产品,设计了隔爆产品爆炸压力测试装置,测试记录了在常温和低温2种环境温度下,乙烯和氢气2种典型可燃性气体在不同内部结构的隔爆产品中的爆炸压力。研究结果表明:相同初始压力条件下,温度越低,气体的爆炸压力越大;在国际标准推荐的试验条件下,低浓度乙烯可以产生与高浓度氢气相同的爆炸压力;隔爆产品结构的变化会导致压力重叠的现象,显著影响爆炸压力的大小。     

瓦斯爆炸阻隔爆装置失效原因的实验研究

通过对水平管道内瓦斯爆炸的火焰结构及压力结构的实验研究 ,分析了瓦斯爆炸阻隔爆装置的失效原因。结果表明 ,瓦斯爆炸火焰是沿着管道的底部向前传播的 ,火焰长度较长 ,并具有较高的内聚力。阻隔爆装置的失效原因是由于其动作延迟时间与火焰到达装置位置所需的时间不一致 ,使释放出的抑制剂不能有效地覆盖整个火焰区 ,造成具有较高内聚力的火焰 ,在其后部巨大爆炸产物膨胀压力的推动下继续向前传播     

Internal short circuit and accelerated rate calorimetry tests of lithium-ion cells: Considerations for methane-air intrinsic safety and explosion proof/flameproof protection methods

Researchers with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) studied the potential for lithium-ion cell thermal runaway from an internal short circuit in equipment for use in underground coal mines. In this third phase of the study, researchers compared plastic wedge crush-induced internal short circuit tests of selected lithium-ion cells within methane (CH₄)-air mixtures with accelerated rate calorimetry tests of similar cells. Plastic wedge crush test results with metal oxide lithium-ion cells extracted from intrinsically safe evaluated equipment were mixed, with one cell model igniting the chamber atmosphere while another cell model did not. The two cells models exhibited different internal short circuit behaviors. A lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) cell model was tolerant to crush-induced internal short circuits within CH₄-air, tested under manufacturer recommended charging conditions. Accelerating rate calorimetry tests with similar cells within a nitrogen purged 353-mL chamber produced ignitions that exceeded explosion proof and flameproof enclosure minimum internal pressure design criteria. Ignition pressures within a 20-L chamber with 6.5% CH₄-air were relatively low, with much larger head space volume and less adiabatic test conditions. The literature indicates that sizeable lithium thionyl chloride (LiSOCl₂) primary (non rechargeable) cell ignitions can be especially violent and toxic. Because ignition of an explosive atmosphere is expected within explosion proof or flameproof enclosures, there is a need to consider the potential for an internal explosive atmosphere ignition in combination with a lithium or lithium-ion battery thermal runaway process, and the resulting effects on the enclosure.     

管道燃气爆炸特性实验研究

管道是化工及油气储运系统的重要组成部分,却时常受燃烧爆炸事故的威胁,因此对管道中燃气燃烧爆炸特性与规律的研究就十分必要。以甲烷作为研究对象,采用压力传感器以及火焰传感器等对水平封闭管道内甲烷-空气预混燃烧爆炸进行了实验研究,通过大量实验来研究可燃气体爆炸压力与火焰及其传播变化规律。根据实验结果将超压以及气体燃烧的变化情况,对前驱冲击波与火焰面的相对时间及相对位置关系进行了分析。结果显示,管道中会产生前驱压力波,并超前火焰阵面甲烷气体在管道传播过程中,出现冲击波反压射、波叠加及反冲现象,压力的持续时间较火焰光信号持续时间长。所做的工作为油气受限空间中燃气燃烧爆炸特性与规律的进一步研究及工业防爆抑爆技术及工艺的实施、系统设计以及关键参数计算提供了理论依据。     

瓦斯煤尘爆炸特性及抑爆方法研究进展

为探究瓦斯煤尘爆炸特性及抑爆机理,本文通过一系列实验,研究瓦斯、煤尘爆炸的速度和温度等特征,提出利用图像相关系数法和辐射测温原理计算火焰传播速度及温度场变化,定量分析影响煤尘爆炸的因素以及产物变化规律,揭示煤尘爆炸的宏微观机制。结果表明:火焰分形维数可以用来反应瓦斯爆炸强度,即当分形维数更接近2.2937时爆炸反应最为强烈,其爆炸过程中自由基最终生成浓度与CH 4初始浓度呈倒U型关系;当量比对煤粉火焰爆炸压力及速度也有一定影响,在最佳当量比的2倍左右时可以达到最大爆炸压力和最大火焰传播速度。另外本文亦采用泡沫陶瓷对瓦斯的多次爆炸和连续爆炸进行抑爆,发现不同厚度和孔隙的泡沫陶瓷具有不同的抑制效果,孔隙较大的泡沫陶瓷对爆炸能量有较好的抑制作用。     

液化石油气站储罐区火灾爆炸危险性分析与安全措施

选择具体的液化石油气储配站,分析了该站的危险特性、危险产生的途径及可能造成的后果。在没有任何防护措施的情况下,采用蒸气云爆炸和沸腾液体扩展蒸气云爆炸模型,对该站一个50m3储罐发生泄漏造成的火灾爆炸事故后果进行预测,得出火灾爆炸后的安全距离为大于211．0m。在储配站不能满足此安全距离的基础之上,从防止产生爆炸性气体环境、消除点火源和抑制事故扩大三方面来提出有效的安全措施,降低事故发生的概率及事故造成的损失。其中,站址选在全年最小频率风向的上风侧且周围空旷的地区,罐上设置液位计、压力表、温度计及可燃气体报警器可防止产生爆炸性气体环境;罐及管道设静电接地,法兰用铜线跨接,站内设警示标志可消除点火源;生产区与辅助区间设置隔离墙,罐区周围设置砖混围堤,罐上设安全阀可抑制火灾爆炸事故扩大。     

管道内瓦斯爆炸传播的试验研究

运用大型试验管道对瓦斯爆炸传播规律进行试验研究,并对瓦斯爆炸压力峰值、火焰速度和呈现时间进行分析,得出:在不出现爆轰的前提下,爆源点附近的压力峰值是全管道的最大值;爆炸压力峰值在沿管道的传播过程中从爆源点附近是先增大后减小,然后再逐渐增大且压力峰值最早呈现在出口附近;火焰传播速度随着传播距离的增大而逐渐增大且在爆炸初期增大速率更快;瓦斯浓度对爆炸压力峰值、火焰传播速度和呈现时间等都有重要影响。     

连通容器气体密闭爆炸与泄爆过程的实验研究

利用球型容器与管道组合,开展连通容器气体爆炸与泄爆实验,分析连通条件下,火焰在管道中的传播过程及其对起爆容器和传爆容器的压力影响。实验结果表明:连通容器气体爆炸中,火焰从起爆容器到传爆容器传播经历了一段不断加速,但加速度不断减小的过程;泄爆过程中,火焰传播过程与密闭爆炸时基本一致。管道中火焰加速传播,使得传爆容器的爆炸压力和强度相较于作为起爆容器时均明显增加,危险更大,采用与起爆容器相同的泄爆面积,无法满足对连通容器中传爆容器的泄爆。同时,泄爆是一个快速的能量泄放过程应选择合理的泄爆方式,防止二次危害。     

Gas explosion analysis of safety gap effect on the innovating FLNG vessel with a cylindrical platform

After investigating gas dispersion on a cylindrical Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) platform (Li et al, 2016), this second article focuses on assessment of gas explosion by using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Gas explosion simulations are carried out to evaluate the explosion overpressure mitigating effect of safety gap. The Data-dump technique, which is an effective tool in resetting turbulence length scale in gas explosion overpressure calculation, is applied to ensure simulation accuracy for the congestion scenario with safety gap. Two sets of different safety gaps are designed to investigate the safety gap on the cylindrical FLNG platform, the overall results indicate that the safety gap is effective in reducing overpressure in two adjacent congestions. However, for the explosion scenario where the flame is propagating through several safety gaps to the far field congestion, the safety gap mitigates overpressure only in certain explosion protecting targets. Two series of artificial configurations are modeled to further investigate the explosion scenarios with more than two safety gaps in one direction. It is concluded that the optimal safety gap design in overpressure mitigation for the cylindrical FLNG platform is to balance the safety gap distance ratio in the congested regions.     

采用火焰传感器的高速抑爆响应系统测试研究

为实现主动抑制瓦斯爆炸,研制了高速抑爆响应系统。选用尺寸为150mm×150mm×1 600mm的有机玻璃管道,在CH4体积分数为9.5%的条件下进行响应系统测试实验。系统采用火焰传感器进行爆炸火焰探测,通过所设计的程序自主判定瓦斯爆炸的发生并输出控制电信号,以继电器或MOS管为电路控制开关,通过电磁阀控制抑爆剂的喷出。实验结果表明,火焰传感器探测、信号采集、爆炸判断、输出电信号的总平均耗时为22ms,抑爆剂开始释放的平均时刻为59.8ms,抑爆剂释放到管道顶端的平均时刻为79.8ms。而爆炸火焰传播到达喷头所在1.0m处平均时刻为176.2ms。实验表明该系统具有高速主动抑爆响应功能和良好的稳定性、可靠性。     

A test for electrical ignitions of flammable dust clouds

The Atex Directive specifically includes the explosion hazards arising from the presence of flammable dusts. The European standards body CENELEC proposed a research project to develop tests for assessing the ignition hazard due to electrical apparatus used in hazardous dusty environments. This paper describes the work done on developing a test for electrical spark ignitions of explosive dust atmospheres. A prototype apparatus incorporating the dust explosibility vertical tube and the STA break flash apparatus has been developed. Tests using three dusts showed sulphur dust had ignition characteristics close to those of gas Group B, while other dusts were much less easily ignitable than methane. Round robin tests using a duplicate apparatus and the proposed test method produced results very close to those obtained using the original apparatus.