Process of accidental explosions at a refuse derived fuel storage

Accidental gas explosions occurred at a refuse-derived-fuel (RDF) storage in Japan, and two fire fighters on duty were dead. The flammable gases, which caused the gas explosions generated during a RDF fire. It means that gas explosions could occur in the use of solid fuels under certain conditions. This study has been conducted for exploring the process to gas explosions in the RDF storage. The temperature at a part of the RDF pile in the storage was inferred to spontaneously increase, and the prediction of the temperature increase was attempted on the basis of the Frank-Kamenetskii theory. It was shown that the critical temperature of RDF for spontaneous temperature rise depends on the size of the pile. Larger the pile, lower the critical temperature. The possibility of accumulation of flammable gas in the space of the RDF storage is discussed. It is indicated that the spread rate of thermal wave is slow and a high temperature region likely established. After the RDF pile ignites, the oxygen concentration near the burning site becomes low and the flammable species components in the generated gas increases. Those species pass through surrounding low temperature region and come out into the space over the RDF pile without combustion. An explosion would occur when a fresh air comes into the storage, mixes with the flammable gas coming out from the pile to form a flammable mixture, and then the flammable mixture ignites. The most effective means to prevent accidental explosions is to avoid spontaneous ignition by cooling the heated RDF. If spontaneous ignition occurs, elimination of flammable gases from the storage should be strongly recommended.     

When solids meet solids: A glimpse into dust mixture explosions

Mixing an inert solid or a less flammable compound with a combustible dust can be regarded as a direct application of the inherent safety principle of moderation. An experimental investigation was carried out to determine the evolution of the ignition sensitivity and the explosion severity of such various mixtures as a function of their compositions. It demonstrates that the introduction of small amounts of highly combustible powders (such as sulphur or nicotinic acid) to a less flammable dust (such as microcrystalline cellulose or carbon black) can strongly influence the ignition sensitivity as well as the explosion severity.It has notably been shown that the ignition sensitivity of solid/solid mixtures significantly rises up when only 10–5%wt. of highly flammable dust is introduced. Simple models can often be applied to estimate the minimum ignition energy, minimum ignition temperature and minimum explosive concentration of such mixtures. Concerning the dust explosivity, three cases have been studied: mixtures of combustibles dusts without reaction, dusts with reactions between the powders, combustible dusts with inert solid. If the evolution of the maximum explosion pressure can be estimated by using thermodynamic calculations, the maximum rate of pressure rise is more difficult to predict with simple models, and both combustion kinetics and hydrodynamics of the dust clouds should be taken into account. These results were also extended to flammable dust/solid inertant mixture. They clearly show that the concentration of solid inertant at which the ignition is not observed anymore could reach 95%wt. As a consequence, the common recommendation of solid inertant introduction up to 50–80%wt. to prevent dust explosion/ignition should be reconsidered.     

Minimum ignition energy of mixtures of combustible dusts

Most industrial powder processes handle mixtures of various flammable powders. Consequently, hazard evaluation leads to a reduction of the disaster damage that arises from dust explosions. Determining the minimum ignition energy (MIE) of flammable mixtures is critical for identifying possibility of accidental hazard in industry. The aim of this work is to measure the critical ignition energy of different kinds of pure dusts with various particle sizes as well as mixtures thereof.The results show that even the addition of a modest amount of a highly flammable powder to a less combustible powder has a significant impact on the MIE. The MIE varies considerably when the fraction of the highly flammable powder exceeds 20%. For dust mixtures consisting of combustible dusts, the relationship between the ignition energy of the mixture and the minimum ignition energy of the components follows the so-called harmonic model based upon the volume fraction of the pure dusts in the mixture. This correlation provides results which show satisfactory agreement with the experimental values.     

Dust explosion hazard assessment

The majority of powders that are used in the processing industries are combustible (also referred to as flammable, explosible). An explosion will occur if the concentration of the combustible dust that is suspended in air is sufficient to propagate flame when ignited by a sufficiently energetic ignition source.A systematic approach to identifying dust cloud explosion safety against their consequences generally involves:-Identification of locations where combustible dust cloud atmospheres could be present-Understanding of the explosion characteristics of the dust(s)-Identification of potential ignition sources that could be present under normal and abnormal conditions-Proper process and facility design to eliminate and/or minimize the occurrence of dust explosions and protect people and facilities against their consequences-Adequate maintenance of facilities to prevent ignition sources and minimize dust releaseThis presentation will discuss the conditions that are required for dust cloud explosions to occur and presents a well-tried approach to identify, assess, and eliminate/control dust explosion hazards in facilities.     

油页岩含氧干馏工艺流程爆炸极限分析

根据干馏工艺流程配入适量氧气,可以降低载热气体需要预热的温度,以实现低能耗、易于工业生产的特点,设计了一套新型的有氧干馏工艺流程。有氧干馏工艺因其过程中存在可燃性混合物,有发生爆炸事故的可能性,通过实验对所收集的不同温度下的干馏气体的成分与含量进行了分析,结合爆炸极限理论,对该有氧干馏工艺流程的不同温度、不同惰性气体含量条件下可燃气体爆炸极限进行了分析计算。结果表明,可燃气体的浓度在整个反应升温过程中始终没有进入爆炸危险区域,说明该实验装置不具备爆炸危险性;对干馏工艺流程中氧气的输入量的控制,可以防止该工艺流程的火灾爆炸的发生。     

A review on hybrid mixture explosions: Safety parameters,explosion regimes and criteria,flame characteristics

The hybrid mixture of combustible dusts and flammable gases/vapours widely exist in various industries, including mining, petrochemical, metallurgical, textile and pharmaceutical. It may pose a higher explosion risk than gas/vapor or dust/mist explosions since the hybrid explosions can still be initiated even though both the gas and the dust concentration are lower than their lower explosion limit (LEL) values. Understanding the explosion threat of hybrid mixtures not only contributes to the inherent safety and sustainability of industrial process design, but promotes the efficiency of loss prevention and mitigation. To date, however, there is no test standard with reliable explosion criteria available to determine the safety parameters of all types of hybrid mixture explosions, nor the flame propagation and quenching mechanism or theoretical explanation behind these parameters. This review presents a state-of-the-art overview of the comprehensive understanding of hybrid mixture explosions mainly in an experimental study level; thereby, the main limitations and challenges to be faced are explored. The discussed main contents include the experimental measurement for the safety parameters of hybrid mixtures (i.e., explosion sensitivity and severity parameters) via typical test apparatuses, explosion regime and criterion of hybrid mixtures, the detailed flame propagation/quenching characteristics behind the explosion severities/sensitivities of hybrid mixtures. This work aims to summarize the essential basics of experimental studies, and to provide the perspectives based on the current research gaps to understand the explosion hazards of hybrid mixtures in-depth.     

Lithium-ion energy storage battery explosion incidents

Utility-scale lithium-ion energy storage batteries are being installed at an accelerating rate in many parts of the world. Some of these batteries have experienced troubling fires and explosions. There have been two types of explosions; flammable gas explosions due to gases generated in battery thermal runaways, and electrical arc explosions leading to structural failure of battery electrical enclosures. The thermal runaway gas explosion scenarios, which can be initiated by various electrical faults, can be either prompt ignitions soon after a large flammable gas mixture is formed, or delayed ignitions associated with late entry of air and/or loss of gaseous fire suppression agent. The electrical explosions have entailed inadequate electrical protection to prevent high energy arcs within electrical boxes vulnerable to arc induced high pressures and thermal loads. Estimates of both deflagration pressures and arc explosion pressures are described along with their incident implications.     

小环境密闭空间初始压力对预混合可燃性气体爆炸的影响

在工程应用中,初始压力的增高一般都能提高预混合可燃性气体爆炸的强度,缩小反应设备的体积.因此研究在小环境密闭空间下初始压力的变化对预混合可燃性气体爆炸的特性与规律是十分必要的.本文运用AutoReaGas爆炸仿真模拟器定量研究了小环境密闭空间的初始压力对预混合可燃性气体爆炸的影响.其结果表明,在相同小环境密闭空间尺寸下利用AutoReaGas爆炸仿真模拟器充入相同条件的预混合可燃性气体.其预混合气体密度、冲击波产生的超压都随着初始压力的增加而增大;并且爆炸超压与初始压力呈近似的线性关系;但各个观测点的温度和速度并不随着初始压力的增加而变化.研究所取得的成果可为今后的工程应用提供一定的理论数据指导.     

Explosibility and thermal decomposition behavior of nitrile rubber dust in industrial processes

The formation of nitrile rubber (NBR) dust clouds during processing can lead to a potential dust explosion under certain conditions. However, the potential explosion hazard posed by NBR dust is usually overlooked by enterprises. In this paper, the explosive properties of NBR dust are investigated using a Hartmann tube, a G-G furnace, and a 20 L explosion chamber. The results showed that NBR dust could cause explosions severe enough to be classified as St-1. In addition, the thermal decomposition behavior of NBR dust under combustion conditions was investigated using a combination of thermogravimetric analysis coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TGA-FTIR). The results indicated that in the early stage, NBR dust mainly undergoes self-thermal decomposition to produce a large amount of combustible gas, which combines with oxygen to form a mixed gas and cause a gas-phase explosion. In addition, the participation of oxygen could lower the initial temperature of NBR dust thermal decomposition. As a result, decomposition occurred more quickly and a large amount of combustible gas was produced, thus expanding the range of dust explosions. Furthermore, these combustible gases exhibit varying degrees of toxicity, seriously affecting the life and health safety of relevant personnel. This work provides theoretical guidance for the development of safe procedures to prevent and address problems during NBR dust processing in enterprises.     

民居内燃气泄漏爆炸特性及其数值仿真研究进展

为研究民居内可燃气体爆炸规律及特点,预防燃气泄漏爆炸案/事件发生,提高案/事件现场勘验与侦破效率,综述受限空间内燃气爆炸的形成机理和传播特性、现场结构和障碍物对爆炸的影响规律以及爆炸后现场勘验和重建技术方法,阐述数值仿真技术在气体爆炸案件现场勘验和重建中发挥的作用。研究结果表明：民居内燃气爆炸现场特征明显异于传统爆炸类案件现场,尤其是炸点特征存在差异;数值仿真可有效揭示燃气泄漏爆炸的形成、传播和作用机理;目前,燃气爆炸实验研究方法和体系需进一步统一,以提高研究结论普适性。研究结果可为民居内燃气爆炸现场勘验和重建提供技术支持。     

Methodology for case studies of accidental gas explosions

This paper discusses a procedure for case studies of accidental gas explosions. The procedure for each case study can be subdivided into four steps, i.e., collection of proofs, analyses, confirmation, and inference about the processes of the accident, and the issues in each step are pointed out. Making a guess on the sequence of the accident to be investigated should be avoided during collection of proofs. Misunderstanding of the phenomena in analyses and confirmation is likely caused by inappropriate knowledge on the phenomena and/or use of unsuitable models. The sequence of the accidental gas explosion should be inferred on the basis of confirmed processes. If there are other possibilities, those should be described in the report. The reasonableness of the results of a case study depends on the rationality of the procedure and the quality or plausibility of knowledge to infer the probable sequence.     

Assessing the influence of real releases on explosions: Selected results from large-scale experiments

The research activities in the project Assessing the Influence of Real Releases on Explosions (AIRRE) included a unique series of large-scale explosion experiments with high-momentum jet releases directed into congested geometries with subsequent ignition. The primary objective for the AIRRE project was to gain improved understanding of the effect that realistic releases and turbulent flow conditions have on the consequences of accidental gas explosions in the petroleum industry. A secondary objective was to develop a methodology that can facilitate safe and optimal design of process facilities. This paper presents selected results from experiments involving ignition of a highly turbulent gas cloud, generated by a large-scale, pressurised release of natural gas. The paper gives an overview of the effect on maximum explosion overpressures of varying the ignition position relative to the release point of the jet and a congested region placed inside the flammable cloud, with either a high or a medium level of congestion. For two of the tests, involving a jet release and the medium congestion rig, the maximum overpressures significantly exceeded those obtained in a quiescent reference test. The paper presents detailed results for selected tests and discusses the effect of the initial flow field generated by realistic releases – including turbulence, net flow and concentration gradients – on relevant explosion phenomena.     

Un-ignited and ignited high pressure hydrogen releases: Concentration – turbulence mapping and overpressure effects

Safety studies for production and use of hydrogen reveal the importance of accurate prediction of the overpressure effects generated by delayed explosions of accidental high pressure hydrogen releases. Analysis of previous experimental work demonstrates the lack of measurements of turbulent intensities and lengthscales in the flammable envelope as well as the scarceness of accurate experimental data for explosion overpressures and flame speeds. AIR LIQUIDE, AREVA STOCKAGE ENERGIE and INERIS join in a collaborative project to study un-ignited and ignited high pressure releases of hydrogen.The purpose of this work is to map hydrogen flammable envelopes in terms of concentration, velocity and turbulence, and to characterize the flame behaviour and the associated overpressure. These experimental results (dispersion and explosion) are also compared with blind FLACS modelling.     

氧气瓶内附油脂充氧过程爆炸分析与计算

分析总结了氧气钢瓶物理爆炸和化学爆炸的原因。针对2009年某市发生的一起氧气瓶内含油脂爆炸事故,系统分析了国内曾经发生的几次因油脂导致气瓶爆炸事故。油脂进入到氧气瓶内大都是由于误操作。油脂与高压纯氧接触会发生剧烈的自燃氧化放热,使瓶内的氧气迅速升温升压,超出气瓶承压极限导致爆炸破裂。分析比较发现由油脂导致的气瓶爆炸,其破坏程度不如混入可燃气体导致的气瓶爆炸剧烈,一般不是粉碎性爆炸。在正常的充氧过程中,氧气瓶温度会升高,采用变质量热力学中的方法,计算说明气瓶在充装过程中氧气温度的具体变化。充氧温度计算为充氧工作人员提供参考,如发现异常情况,可以及时地控制和预防。由现场压力表可知氧气瓶在充装至12MPa时发生爆炸,而氧气瓶最小爆炸压力为37.6MPa,油脂燃烧放热,计算可知致使钢瓶爆炸破裂所需要的最小油脂量,为66.4-79.6g。不同的充装压力下发生爆炸,所需要的最小油脂量不同,充装压力越高,爆炸所需要的最小油脂量越少。     

Modified explosive diagram for determining gas-mixture explosibility

Determination of mine gas explosibility is definitely a significant work for mine safety especially when any mine rescue strategies are under planning or implementing. In detail, its importance can be well understood by the following two aspects: First, if a coal mine's production is under the normal conditions, the underground mine atmosphere must be monitored as a timely matter and its explosibility should also be determined shortly due to the continuous emission of methane or other combustible gases. Thus, the critical time which means a time period that combustible gases could build up to reach the lower flammable limit and then pass the upper flammable limit can be effectively watched and controlled. Second, when facing a mine rescue work or mitigating a hazard of mine accidents (gas explosion, coal fire, etc.), the explosibility determination is also very critical for miners' lives. In this paper, a widely used mine gas explosibility determination method, the Coward diagram, is going to be modified to improve its accuracy. The improvements made in this research effort include: (1) expanding the original Coward diagram; (2) correcting flammable limits; (3) redefining the nose limit for each combustible gas; (4) developing an equation to predict the excess amount of inert gas for individual combustible gas. Finally, the flowchart of the modified Coward explosibility diagram method is listed. By a cross-verification study, it shows that the modified Coward method has better accuracy and reliability and could be applied in practices.     

The multi-energy critical separation distance

Devastating vapour cloud explosions can only develop under appropriate (boundary) conditions. The record of vapour cloud explosion incidents from the past demonstrates that these conditions are readily met by the congestion by process equipment at (petro-) chemical plant sites. Therefore, the possibility of an accidental release of a flammable and a subsequent vapour cloud explosion is a major hazardous scenario considered in any risk assessment with regard to the process industries.If an extended flammable vapour cloud at a chemical plant site extends over more than one process unit, which are separated by lanes of sufficient width, the vapour cloud explosion on ignition develops the same number of separate blasts. If, on the other hand, the separation between the units is insufficient, the vapour cloud explosion develops one big blast. The critical separation distance (SD) is the criterion that allows discriminating in this matter for blast modelling purposes.This paper summarises some major results of an experimental research programme with the objective to develop practical guidelines with regard to the critical SD. To this end, a series of small-scale explosion experiments have been performed with vapour clouds containing two separate configurations of obstacles. Blast overpressures at various stations around have been recorded while the SD between the two configurations of obstacles was varied.The experimental programme resulted in some clear indications for the extent of the critical SD between separate areas of congestion. On the basis of safety and conservatism, these indications have been rendered into a concrete guideline. Application of this guideline would allow a greater accuracy in the modelling of blast from vapour cloud explosions.     

Insight into vented explosion mechanism and premixed flame dynamics in linked vessels: Influence of membrane thickness and blocking rate

To effectively prevent and mitigate explosion hazards and casualties, relief venting of flammable gas explosions has been applied in production processes in a broad variety of industries. This work conducted fully vented experiments to investigate the influence of venting membrane thickness, and partially vented experiments to investigate the influence of baffle blocking rate on the explosion characteristics of 9.5 vol% methane-air mixtures in linked vessels with a 0.5 m long vented duct. Results indicate that the membrane thickness and blocking rate for the two types of vented explosions significantly affected the explosion overpressure. The smaller the membrane thickness and blocking rate, the lower the explosion overpressure. Secondary explosions were observed in the vented duct through experiments and a weaker explosion flame appeared at a small blocking rate of 20%. With the further increase in the blocking rate, the flame became extremely weak, and no secondary explosions occurred. The overpressure evolution process at different positions in the explosion duct and secondary explosion phenomenon in the vented duct were investigated. This work could probably serve as an important reference for the selection of technical parameters of explosion venting in the practical industrial processes.     

A few fundamental aspects about ignition and flame propagation in dust clouds

The history of the development of the process industry has been punctuated by a number of hazardous explosions, sometimes very severe. A few of them are still in the memory and certainly contributed to the birth of safety engineering. It has been known for more than one century than combustible dusts suspended in air are responsible for a part of those explosions but contrariwise to gas explosions, the available knowledge and practise seems still contain a significant part of empirism. The work summarised into this paper is an attempt to contribute to a better understanding of the explosion mechanisms of dust clouds. Hopefully, such additional information may help to refine the safety analysis exercise in the future. A specific effort has been devoted to combustion processes in the flame and the results indicate similarities with premixed gaseous flames. Several fundamental questions are addressed such as the incidence of thermal radiation, turbulence,… This information is important to treat ignition aspects. For spark type of ignition, it is shown that an absolute minimum ignition energy should exist for some dust clouds with a similar meaning than for premixed gaseous flames. For hot surface ignition, the standard ignition temperature (Godbert–Greenwald) seems to be reasonably correlated to the size and critical ignition temperature of the heating body. The possible implications of this new information within the scope of industrial safety are addressed in conclusion.     

Post-explosion observations of experimental mine and laboratory coal dust explosions

The Pittsburgh Research Laboratory (PRL) of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) conducted joint research on dust explosions by studying post-explosion dust samples. The samples were collected after full-scale explosions at the PRL Lake Lynn Experimental Mine (LLEM), and after laboratory explosions in the PRL 20-L chamber and the Fike 1 m³ chamber. The dusts studied included both high- and low-volatile bituminous coals. Low temperature ashing for 24 h at 515 °C was used to measure the incombustible content of the dust before and after the explosions. The data showed that the post-explosion incombustible content was always as high as, or higher than the initial incombustible content. The MSHA alcohol coking test was used to determine the amount of coked dust in the post-explosion samples. The results showed that almost all coal dust that was suspended within the explosion flame produced significant amounts of coke. Measurements of floor dust concentrations after LLEM explosions were compared with the initial dust loadings to determine the transport distance of dust during an explosion. All these data will be useful in future forensic investigations of accidental dust explosions in coal mines, or elsewhere.