Influence of water storage on deflagration characteristics of methane in confined space

Comparative experiments were conducted under different water level heights and methane concentration conditions using a self-designed explosion experiment pipeline. The results showed that, in comparison with the scenario without water storage, when the water level was 2 cm and methane concentration was 6.5–12.5%, there was a dual effect including a pressure decrease caused by the endothermic cooling of liquid water and a pressure increase caused by the expansion of water vapour. These effects caused the pressure time history curve to exhibit a double-peak or multi-peak structure, and the average decrease in the peak deflagration pressure was 23.76%. The heat of vaporisation absorbed by the stored water and barrier effect of water vapour on the transfer of the heat slowed down the increase in the deflagration temperature. The average decrease in the peak deflagration temperature of methane was 13.82%, and the time to reach the peak deflagration temperature was extended as a whole, with an average delay of 0.22 s. Water storage also changed the shape of the deflagration flame front, which exhibited ‘knife’, ‘V’, and ‘crescent’ structures. Moreover, the flame propagation speed was significantly reduced, with the peak and average flame propagation speeds decreased by 83.3% and 83.6%, respectively. The research results can provide a certain reference for preventing gas explosions in typical confined spaces, and also help to explore new anti-explosion methods, which can be applied to marine equipment such as ships.     

On the determination of the laminar burning velocity from closed vessel gas explosions

A methodology to determine the laminar burning velocity from closed vessel gas explosions is explored. Unlike other methods which have been used to measure burning velocities from closed vessel explosions, this approach belongs to the category which does not involve observation of a rapidly moving flame front. Only the pressure–time curve is required as experimental input. To verify the methodology, initially quiescent methane–air mixtures were ignited in a 20-l explosion sphere and the equivalence ratio was varied from 0.67 to 1.36. The behavior of the pressure in the vessel was measured as a function of time and two integral balance models, namely, the thin-flame and the three-zone model, were fitted to determine the laminar burning velocity. Data on the laminar burning velocity as a function of equivalence ratio, pressure and temperature, measured by a variety of other methods have been collected from the literature to enable a comparison. Empirical correlations for the effect of pressure and temperature on the laminar burning velocity have been reviewed and two were selected to be used in conjunction with the thin-flame model. For the three-zone model, a set of coupled correlations has been derived to describe the effect of pressure and temperature on the laminar burning velocity and the laminar flame thickness. Our laminar burning velocities are seen to fall within the band of data from the period 1953–2003. A comparison with recent data from the period 1994–2003 shows that our results are 5–10% higher than the laminar burning velocities which are currently believed to be the correct ones for methane–air mixtures. Based on this observation it is concluded that the methodology described in this work should only be used under circumstances where more accurate methods can not be applied.     

不同形状受限空间内油气爆燃特性的实验研究

基于实验对4个不同形状的20L容器内的油气爆燃过程进行了研究,探讨了不同形状受限空间内爆炸压力荷载的变化和火焰行为的区别。结果表明:管道（短管和长管）的压力时序曲线较容积式受限空间（球形容器和立方体容器）的压力时序曲线更复杂,并且出现压力振荡;随着初始浓度的增加,超压值和平均升压速率均先增大后减小,在浓度为1.74%时达到最大值,此时,超压从大到小依次为:长管>短管>立方体>球形容器,平均升压速率从大到小依次为:短管>立方体>长管>球形容器;在爆燃初期,立方体中火焰行为为半球状层流火焰→扁平层流火焰,火焰速度先增大后减小,最大速度为12.5 m/s,长管中火焰行为为半球状层流火焰→拉伸指状火焰,火焰速度一直增大,最大速度为40 m/s。     

Flame propagation behaviors of nano- and micro-scale PMMA dust explosions

Flame propagation behaviors of nano- and micro-polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) dust explosions were experimentally studied in the open-space dust explosion apparatus. High-speed photography with normal and microscopic lenses were used to record the particle combustion behaviors and flame microstructures. Simple physical models were developed to explore the flame propagation mechanisms. High-speed photographs showed two distinct flame propagation behaviors of nano- and micro-PMMA dust explosions. For nano-particles, flame was characterized by a regular spherical shape and spatially continuous combustion structure combined with a number of luminous spot flames. The flame propagation mechanism was similar to that of a premixed gas flame coupled with solid surface combustion of the agglomerates. In comparison, for micro-particles, flame was characterized by clusters of flames and the irregular flame front, which was inferred to be composed of the diffusion flame accompanying the local premixed flame. It was indicated that smaller particles maintained the leading part of the propagating flame and governed the combustion process of PMMA dust clouds. Increasing the mass densities from 105 g/m³ to 217 g/m³ for 100 nm PMMA particles, and from 72 g/m³ to 170 g/m³ for 30 μm PMMA particles, the flame luminous intensity, scale and the average propagation velocity were enhanced. Besides, the flame front became more irregular for 30 μm PMMA dust clouds.     

A study on the obstacle-induced variation of the gas explosion characteristics

A study on the variation of the gas explosion characteristics caused by the built-in obstacles was conducted in enclosed/vented gas explosion vessels. It has been well known that the obstacles in pipes and long ducts would accelerate the flame propagation, and cause the transition from deflagration to detonation. In this study, the explosion characteristics and the flame behavior of vented explosions and constant-volume explosions were investigated. Experiments were carried out in a 270-liter and 36-liter hexahedron vessels filled with LPG–air mixture. The explosion characteristics of the gas mixture were determined by using a strain-responding pressure transducer. The flame behavior was recorded by using a high-speed video camera. The shape and the size of the obstacle, and the gas concentration, were adjusted in the experiments.

It can be seen from the experimental results that, instead of being accelerated, the flame propagation inside the explosion vessel is decelerated by the plate obstacles fixed at the bottom of the vessel. Also, the characteristics of the enclosed explosion are not so affected by the built-in obstacles as those of the vented explosion are. It is believed that the eddy-induced turbulence behind the obstacle decelerates the flame propagation.     

T型管道不同封闭状态瓦斯爆燃火焰传播特征

为了研究分岔管道不同封闭状态下瓦斯爆燃火焰阵面传播规律,在自制的T型透明分岔管道内,设置支管端口完全封闭、直管左端口弱封闭,采用光电传感器和压力传感器测试了直管右端弱封闭、完全封闭2种情况下,预混甲烷-空气可燃气体爆燃火焰传播过程中速度、超压参数的变化情况。结果表明:由于分岔的存在,2种封闭状态在支管端点火后瓦斯爆燃火焰阵面在支管中的传播速度均先增大后减小;直管右端弱封闭时,经过分岔后火焰加速向直管两端传播速度基本一致,分别达到86.29 m/s和88.07 m/s;直管右端完全封闭时,火焰向弱封闭端传播速度增大至166.67 m/s,火焰向完全封闭端传播时并不断压缩未燃气体产生高压振荡反馈导致火焰振荡传播现象,火焰速度不断减小至4.84 m/s;管道内瓦斯爆燃超压均迅速上升到达峰值,之后受压缩气体的膨胀和冲击后爆燃产物的振荡作用迅速下降。     

2,5-二甲基呋喃-空气燃烧过程研究

利用球形发展火焰研究了常温常压下不同当量比,不同相态时2,5-二甲基呋喃-空气的层流燃烧速度和马克斯坦长度,分析了火焰拉伸对火焰传播速度的影响。研究结果表明:随着当量比的增加,2,5-二甲基呋喃-空气混合气的马克斯坦长度减少,火焰的稳定性减弱。并且分别计算出当量比为1.25和1.5的层流燃烧速度,分别为:1.189m/s,1.135m/s.。对于同一当量比1.5的情况下,不同相态的2,5-二甲基呋喃-空气混合物,在相同时刻的气液两相混合物的火焰半径已经拉伸火焰传播速度远远大于纯气相的混合物。     

球形障碍物对瓦斯爆燃火焰影响试验研究

为进一步开发煤矿井下瓦斯爆炸事故的隔抑爆技术装备,利用截面为0.2 m×0.2 m的方形管道、纹影仪和高速摄像机,开展无障碍物时和球形障碍物存在情况下的瓦斯爆燃传播试验。研究发现,无障碍物时,密闭管道内爆燃火焰的结构和传播速度受反射压力波的影响很大,湍流火焰、化学反应作用能力与反射压力波的相互作用是造成火焰传播速度变化的主要原因;球形障碍物存在时,火焰受扰动后被拉伸为前锋、中锋和尾锋,前锋速度最快,尾锋最慢;火焰前锋从经过障碍物开始整体呈加速趋势,与无障碍物相比,通过观察段的时间明显缩短。     

Suppression of metal dust deflagrations

Dust explosions continue to pose a serious threat to the process industries handling combustible powders. According to a review carried out by the Chemical Safety Board (CSB) in 2006, 281 dust explosions were reported between 1980 and 2005 in the USA, killing 119 workers and injuring 718. Metal dusts were involved in 20% of these incidents. Metal dust deflagrations have also been regularly reported in Europe, China and Japan.The term “metal dusts” encompasses a large family of materials with diverse ignitability and explosibility properties. Compared to organic fuels, metal dusts such as aluminum or magnesium exhibit higher flame temperature (T_f), maximum explosion pressure (P_max), deflagration index (K_St), and flame speed (S_f), making mitigation more challenging. However, technological advances have increased the efficiency of active explosion protection systems drastically, so the mitigation of metal dust deflagrations has now become possible.This paper provides an overview of metal dust deflagration suppression tests. Recent experiments performed in a 4.4 m³ vessel have shown that aluminum dust deflagrations can be effectively suppressed at a large scale. It further demonstrates that metal dust deflagrations can be managed safely if the hazard is well understood.     

Thermal radiation from vapour cloud explosions

The current study estimates the radiation flux emitted from hot extended gas clouds characteristic of vapour cloud explosions along with the corresponding level of irradiance posed on particles suspended in the unburnt part of the cloud ahead of an advancing flame front. The data presented permits an assessment of the plausibility of combustion initiation by such particles due to forward thermal radiation. The thermal radiation will depend on the emissivity of the burned volume, which relates to the concentration of gaseous and particulate combustion products. A sensitivity analysis has been carried out to account for variations in the equivalence ratio, mixture pressure and radiative heat losses. The spatial distribution of irradiance ahead of the flame front has been computed by introducing appropriate geometrical factors to explore the impact of cloud size. Using fuel rich ethylene-air mixtures it has been shown that high flame emissivities can be achieved at path lengths of order 1 m even in the presence of very low soot volume fractions. The emissivity of gas-soot mixtures will hence be mainly determined by the soot concentration and to a lesser extent by the mixture temperature. Our analysis suggests that the role of forward thermal radiation as a contributing factor to flame propagation in large scale vapour cloud explosions can not currently be ruled out.     

Effect of ignition position on vented hydrogen–air deflagration in a 1 m3 vessel

This study investigates the effect of the ignition position on vented hydrogen-air deflagration in a 1 m³ vessel and evaluates the performance of the commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code FLACS in simulating the vented explosion of hydrogen-air mixtures. First, the differences in the measured pressure-time histories for various ignition locations are presented, and the mechanisms responsible for the generation of different pressure peaks are explained, along with the flame behavior. Secondly, the CFD software FLACS is assessed against the experimental data. The characteristic phenomena of vented explosion are observed for hydrogen-air mixtures ignited at different ignition positions, such as Helmholtz oscillation for front ignition, the interaction between external explosion and combustion inside the vessel for central ignition, and the wall effect for back-wall ignition. Flame-acoustic interaction are observed in all cases, particularly in those of front ignition and very lean hydrogen-air mixtures. The predicted flame behavior agree well with the experimental data in general while the simulated maximum overpressures are larger than the experimental values by a factor of 1.5–2, which is conservative then would lead to a safe design of explosion panels for instance. Not only the flame development during the deflagration was well-simulated for the different ignition locations, but also the correspondence between the pressure transients and flame behavior was also accurately calculated. The comparison of the predicted results with the experimental data shows the performance of FLACS to model vented mixtures of hydrogen with air ignited in a lab scale vessel. However, the experimental scale is often smaller than that used in practical scenarios, such as hydrogen refueling installations. Thus, future large-scale experiments are necessary to assess the performance of FLACS in practical use.     

Consequence prediction for dust explosions involving interconnected vessels using computational fluid dynamics modeling

Combustible dust explosions continue to present a significant threat toward operating personnel and pneumatic conveyance equipment in a wide variety of processing industries. Following ignition of suspended fuel within a primary enclosure volume, propagation of flame and pressure fronts toward upstream or downstream interconnected enclosures can result in devastating secondary explosions if not impeded through an appropriate isolation mechanism. In such occurrences, an accelerated flame front may result in flame jet ignition within the secondary vessel, greatly increasing the overall explosion severity. Unlike an isolated deflagration event with quantifiable reduced pressures (vent sizing according to NFPA 68 guidance), oscillation of pressure between primary and secondary process vessels leads to uncertain overpressure effects. Dependent on details of the application such as relative enclosure volumes, relief area, fuel type, suspended concentration, duct size, and duct length, the maximum system pressure in both interconnected vessels can be unpredictable. This study proposes the use of FLame ACceleration Simulator (FLACS) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling to provide reliable consequence predictions for specific case scenarios of dust deflagrations involving interconnected equipment. Required minimum supplement to the originally calculated relief area (A_v) was determined through iterative simulation, allowing for reduced explosion pressures (P_red) to be maintained below theoretical enclosure design strengths (P_es).     

水雾抑制气体爆炸火焰传播的实验研究

利用自行设计的全程透明的火焰加速管系统和细水雾实验系统 ,对不同水雾条件下的气体火焰传播现象进行了实验研究。运用光电传感器与CCD摄像技术 ,笔者分析了不同水雾条件下的甲烷预混气体火焰传播速度、传播火焰阵面轨迹 ;探讨了水雾抑制气体火焰传播的机理及条件。实验发现了在一定条件水雾作用下的气体传播火焰阵面拉伸与火焰驻留的现象与条件 ,实验结果表明 :水雾对气体爆炸火焰传播的抑制是由于水雾作用于火焰阵面反应区 ,降低了反应区内火焰温度和气体燃烧速度 ,减缓了火焰阵面传热与传质的进行 ,从而使传播火焰得以抑制 ;而水雾对气体爆炸火焰传播的抑制效果与水雾通量、雾区浓度、水雾区长度以及火焰到达水雾区的火焰传播速度有关     

Flamelet surface density modelling of turbulent deflagrating flames in vented explosions

The performance of two reaction rate models based on the laminar flamelet concept have been examined by calculating the behaviour of turbulent flame deflagration inside a semi-confined explosion tube. The models formulate the mean rate of reaction as a function of a transport equation for the flamelet surface density. The difference in the models is in modelling the source/sink terms of the flamelet surface density transport equation. The models are validated using laser diagnostics of flame deflagration in methane–air flammable mixture. The predictions are compared with experimental results for propagation, pressure history and flame speed. Sensitivity to cross-flow effects are investigated through comparison between two- and three-dimensional calculations. The numerically simulated results show that experimental trends are well reproduced by both models.     

A critical evaluation of combustible/explosible dust testing methods – Part 1

Tests were conducted by the Center for Agricultural Air Quality Engineering and Science (CAAQES) and by Safety Consulting Engineers Inc. (SCE) to determine if dust found in cotton gins (gin dust) would serve as fuel for dust explosions. In other words, is gin dust explosible? The laboratory tests used by CAAQES and SCE are very different. SCE used a totally enclosed 20 liter (L) chamber, flame from a 10,000 J (10 kJ) ignition source, reported that gin dust was a class ‘A’ explosible dust. CAAQES used a 28.3-L (1 ft³) chamber with diaphragm, a stationary coil as the igniter, video and pressure recordings of each test and concluded that gin dust was not explosible. SCE followed the protocols specified by ASTM E1226 and E1515. The only indicator used to determine whether a deflagration occurred during a test was pressure. If the pressure rise exceeded one bar gage (g) in a 20-L chamber test with a flame from a 10 kJ energy source as the igniter, it was assumed that a deflagration occurred in the chamber and the dust was classified as explosible (ASTM E1226-05, 2005). The CAAQES criterion for determining if a dust was explosible consisted of determining the minimum explosive concentration (MEC). If the MEC existed using the CAAQES test system, it was explosible! The criteria used with the CAAQES method for determining the MEC was to test concentrations starting at concentrations above the MEC and lowering the concentrations until at least one of the three tests at that concentration failed to result in a deflagration. The indicators of a deflagration were (1) bursting of a diaphragm, (2) flame front leaving the chamber and (3) characteristic pressure vs. time curve.It was concluded that the ASTM method of using only pressure as the indicator of a deflagration in a totally enclosed chamber would likely result of an “over-driven” test and an incorrect finding that gin dust was explosible. The result of CAAQES testing was that gin dust was not explosible.     

Numerical simulation of flame propagation and localized preflame autoignition in enclosures

A novel computational approach based on the coupled 3D Flame-Tracking–Particle (FTP) method is used for numerical simulation of confined explosions caused by preflame autoignition. The Flame-Tracking (FT) technique implies continuous tracing of the mean flame surface and application of the laminar/turbulent flame velocity concepts. The Particle method is based on the joint velocity–scalar probability density function approach for simulating reactive mixture autoignition in the preflame zone. The coupled algorithm is supplemented with the database of tabulated laminar flame velocities as well as with reaction rates of hydrocarbon fuel oxidation in wide ranges of initial temperature, pressure, and equivalence ratio. The main advantage of the FTP method is that it covers both possible modes of premixed combustion, namely, frontal and volumetric. As examples, combustion of premixed hydrogen–air, propane–air, and n-heptane–air mixtures in enclosures of different geometry is considered. At certain conditions, volumetric hot spots ahead of the propagating flame are identified. These hot spots transform to localized exothermic centers giving birth to spontaneous ignition waves traversing the preflame zone at very high apparent velocities, i.e., nearly homogeneous preflame explosion occurs. The abrupt pressure rise results in the formation of shock waves producing high overpressure peaks after reflections from enclosure walls.     

Large eddy simulation of methane–air deflagration in an obstructed chamber using different combustion models

In this paper, simulations of methane–air deflagration inside a semi-confined chamber with three solid obstacles have been carried out with large eddy simulation (LES) technique. Three sub-grid scale (SGS) combustion models, including power-law flame wrinkling model by Charlette et al., turbulent flame speed closure (TFC) model, and eddy dissipation model (EDM), are applied. All numerical results have been compared to literature experimental data. It is found that the power-law flame wrinkling model by Charlette et al. is able to better predict the generated pressure and other flame features, such as flame structure, position, speed and acceleration against measured data. Based on the power-law flame wrinkling model, the flame–vortex interaction during the deflagration progress is also investigated. The results obtained have demonstrated that higher turbulence levels, induced by obstacles, wrinkle the flame and then increase its surface area, the burning rates and the flame speed.     

Effect of concentration and ignition position on vented methane–air explosions

Experiments were conducted in a 1 m³ vessel with a top vent to investigate the effect of methane concentration and ignition position on pressure buildup and flame behavior. Three pressure peaks (p₁, p₂, and P_ext) and two types of pressure oscillations (Helmholtz and acoustic oscillations) were observed. The rupture of vent cover results in p₁ that is insensitive to methane concentration and ignition position. Owing to the interaction between acoustic wave and the flame, p₂ forms in the central and top ignition explosions when the methane–air mixture is near–stoichiometric. When the methane–air mixture is centrally ignited, p₂ first increases and then decreases with an increase in the methane concentration. The external explosion-induced P_ext is observed only in the bottom ignition explosions with an amplitude of several kilopascals. Under the current experimental conditions, flame–acoustic interaction leads to the most serious explosions in central ignition tests. Methane concentration and ignition position have little effect on the frequency of Helmholtz and acoustic oscillations; however, the Helmholtz oscillation lasts longer and first decreases and then increases as the methane concentration increases for top ignition cases. The ignition position significantly affects the Taylor instability of the flame front resulting from the Helmholtz oscillation.     

Simulation of dust explosions in complex geometries with experimental input from standardized tests

The present paper describes the development of a new CFD-code (DESC) for the assessment of accidental hazards arising from dust explosions in complex geometries. The approach followed entails the estimation of the laminar burning velocity of dust clouds from standardized laboratory-scale tests, and its subsequent use as input to the combustion model incorporated in DESC. The methodology used to obtain the laminar burning velocities is demonstrated by igniting turbulent propane-air mixtures to deflagration in a standard 20-litre USBM-vessel, and extracting the laminar burning velocity from the pressure–time curves; the results are compared with literature data. Laminar burning velocities for clouds of maize starch dust in air were estimated following the same procedure, and the resulting empirical model was used to simulate dust explosions in a 236-m³ silo.     

Experimental study on methane explosion characteristics with different types of porous media

Porous media has a significant effect on flame and overpressure of methane explosion. In this paper, the pore diameter and thickness of porous media are studied. Nine experimental combinations of different pore diameter and thickness on the propagation of flame and overpressure of methane explosion in a tube are analyzed. The results show that the porous media not only can suppress the explosive flame propagation, but the porous media with large pore diameter can cause deflagration and accelerate the transition of flame from laminar to turbulent. The pore diameter of the porous media mainly determines the quenching of the flame. Simply increasing the thickness of porous media may cause the flame to temporarily stop propagating, but the flame is not completely extinguished for larger pore diameter. However, the deflagration propagation speed of flame is affected by the thickness. The attenuation of overpressure by porous media is mainly reflected in reducing the duration of overpressure and the peak value of overpressure. The smaller the pore diameter, the greater the thickness, and the more remarkable the reduction in overpressure duration and peak value. Suitable pore diameter and thickness of porous media can effectively suppress flame propagation and reduce the maximum value and duration of overpressure.