Estimation of pressure distribution for shock wave through the bend of bend laneway

Propagation of the air shock wave caused by explosion via the bend of a bend laneway has obvious nonlinear characteristics, compared with its propagation in a straight laneway. These characteristics are important bases to analyze the accident of gas explosion in underground mines and to estimate the blast resistance of underground structures in mines. In this work, the rule of the shock wave propagation via the laneway bend and the pressure distribution are studied by means of the numerical simulation approach. Theoretical results show that attenuation of the peak overpressure with distance does not obey exponent law when the air shock wave goes through the laneway bend. At some locations within the bend zone, the overpressures are higher than ones around those locations, the front of original plane wave bends in the bend of the laneway and after passing through the bend, it gradually returns to the state of plane wave propagation. There is a span dependent on the cross section dimension of laneway and the bend angle and increasing with the bend angle, in which the peak overpressure of shock wave does not uniformly attenuate with distance. When the bend angle is equal to 135°, this span is about five times as long as the corresponding equivalent diameter of the laneway. Additionally, the impulse of air shock wave attenuates uniformly via the laneway bend. On the end section of the complicated pressure distribution area in the bend, it is 66.65–98.7% of that in the straight laneway at the same scaled distance.     

Influence of laneway support spacing on methane/air explosion shock wave

A laneway support system provides an available way to solve problems related to ground movements in underground coal mines, but also poses another potential hazard. Once a methane/air explosion occurs in a laneway, inappropriate design parameters of the support system, especially the support spacing, likely have a negative influence on explosion disaster effects. The commercial software package AutoReaGas, a computational fluid dynamics code suitable for gas explosions, was used to carry out the numerical investigation for the methane/air explosion and blast process in a straight laneway with different support spacing. The validity of the numerical method was verified by the methane/air explosion experiment in a steel tube. Laneway supports can promote the development of turbulence and explosion, and also inhibit the propagation of flame and shock wave. For the design parameters in actual laneway projects, the fluid dynamic drag due to the laneway support plays a predominant role in a methane/air explosion. There is an uneven distribution of the peak overpressure on the same cross section in the laneway, and the largest overpressure is near the laneway walls. Different support spacing can cause obvious differences for the distributions of the shock wave overpressure and impulse. Under comparable conditions, the greater destructive effects of explosion shock wave are seen for the laneway support system with larger spacing. The results presented in this work provide a theoretical basis for the optimized design of the support system in coal laneways and the related safety assessments.     

甲烷煤尘燃烧爆炸试验研究

为揭示甲烷煤尘空气混合物爆炸波的传播规律,采用试验分析的方法,建立甲烷煤尘空气混合物燃烧爆炸的3种试验方案,分析不同体积分数的甲烷和不同质量浓度的煤尘消耗不同体积空气时的爆压和爆速等参数的发展趋势,探究爆轰波传播的稳定性,阐明了甲烷煤尘燃烧爆炸的基本特征。试验结果表明,在最优配比条件下,与单一甲烷空气、煤尘空气混合物相比,甲烷煤尘空气混合物的爆压、爆速明显增加。甲烷煤尘空气混合物爆轰比单一的气相、固相混合物爆轰的爆炸压力、爆速明显增加、爆轰更稳定。     

Experimental study on the feasibility of explosion suppression by vacuum chambers

In view of the invalidity of suppression and isolation apparatus for gas explosion, a closed vacuum chamber structure for explosion suppression with a fragile plane was designed on the base of the suction of vacuum. Using methane as combustible gas, a series of experiments on gas explosion were carried out to check the feasibility of the vacuum chamber suppressing explosion by changing methane concentration and geometric structure of the vacuum chamber. When the vacuum chamber was not connected to the tunnel, detonation would happen in the tunnel at methane volume fraction from 9.3% to 11.5%, with flame propagation velocity exceeding 2000 m/s, maximum peak value overpressure reaching 0.7 MPa, and specific impulse of shock wave running up to 20 kPa s. When the vacuum chamber with 5/34 of the tunnel volume was connected to the flank of the tunnel, gas explosion of the same concentration would greatly weaken with flame propagation velocity declining to about 200 m/s, the quenching distance decreasing to 3/4 of the tunnel length, maximum peak value overpressure running down to 0.1-0.15 MPa and specific impulse of shock wave below 0.9 kPa s. The closer the position accessed to the ignition end, the greater explosion intensity weakened. There was no significant difference between larger section and smaller vacuum chambers in degree of maximum peak value overpressure and specific impulse declining, except that quenching fire effect of the former was superior to the latter. The distance of fire quenching could be improved by increasing the number of the vacuum chambers.     

可燃气体爆炸破坏效应的试验研究

借助高速摄像机及ProAnalyst软件,研究可燃气体体积分数和障碍物对可燃气体爆炸破坏力的影响。测定不同体积分数下的甲烷-空气预混气体爆炸冲击波超压,和爆炸火焰波在有无乒乓球方向传播的平均速度。试验结果表明:超压和平均速度均随着甲烷体积分数的增加呈现先增大后减小的变化趋势,其最大值均出现在甲烷体积分数为10%～11%之间;同一体积分数下的甲烷-空气预混气体爆炸火焰波在有乒乓球方向传播的平均速度比没有乒乓球方向传播的平均速度大。根据试验结果,推导出可燃气体爆炸冲击波超压和爆炸火焰波传播平均速度与可燃气体体积分数之间的函数关系,并得出障碍物对爆炸火焰波传播的加速作用随着体积分数的增加呈现先加强后减弱的变化趋势。     

Experimental study on DDT for hydrogen–methane–air mixtures in tube with obstacles

An experimental study of flame propagation, acceleration and transition to detonation in stoichiometric hydrogen–methane–air mixtures in 6 m long tube filled with obstacles located at different configurations was performed. The initial conditions of the hydrogen–methane–air mixtures were 1 atm and 293 K. Four different cases of obstacle blockage ratio (BR) 0.7, 0.6, 0.5 and 0.4 and three cases of obstacle spacing were used. The wave propagation was monitored by piezoelectric pressure transducers PCB. Pressure transducers were located at different positions along the channel to collect data concerning DDT and detonation development. Tested mixtures were ignited by a weak electric spark at one end of the tube. Detonation cell sizes were measured using smoked foil technique and analyzed with Matlab image processing toolbox. As a result of the experiments the deflagration and detonation regimes and velocities of flame propagation in the obstructed tube were determined.     

瓦斯爆炸引起沉积煤尘爆炸传播实验研究

运用井下大型实验巷道对瓦斯爆炸诱导沉积煤尘爆炸进行实验研究,并对几次实验结果进行对比分析。通过对爆炸压力以及火焰产生、发展、传播过程进行的分析,得出瓦斯爆炸引起沉积煤尘爆炸过程中压力波存在回传现象;在煤尘刚开始参与爆炸处,爆炸超压有一个较长的持续时间;爆炸火焰的传播速度在铺有煤尘段迅速上升,最后有一平缓的上升阶段,过了煤尘段开始下降;火焰区长度约为煤尘区长度的2倍等规律。实验研究发现的规律为有效的预防瓦斯煤尘爆炸事故提供了理论依据。     

巷道截面积突变情况下瓦斯爆炸冲击波传播规律的研究

瓦斯爆炸冲击波传播规律是研究冲击波的破坏和伤害机理的前提及依据,笔者利用流体动力学、爆炸动力学理论对巷道截面积突变情况下瓦斯爆炸冲击波传播规律进行理论分析,建立巷道截面积突变情况下冲击波传播的数学模型,得到了冲击波波阵面压力和其他空气动力学参数的表达式,从而得到冲击波波阵面压力过巷道截面积突变面时的变化规律。研究成果丰富了瓦斯爆炸冲击波传播规律理论,对井下瓦斯爆炸安全评价以及制定防灾减灾措施提供了理论基础。     

Experimental study on CO2/CF3I suppression of methane-air explosion and flame propagation

To explore the inhibitory effects of CF₃I and CO₂ gas on the explosion pressure and flame propagation characteristics of 9.5% methane, a spherical 20 L experimental explosion device was used to study the effect of the gas explosion suppressants on the maximum explosion pressure, maximum explosion pressure rise rate and flame propagation speed of methane. The results indicated that with a gradual increase in the volume fraction of the gas explosion suppressant, the maximum explosion pressure of methane and maximum explosion pressure rise rate gradually decreased, and the time taken to reach the maximum explosion pressure and maximum explosion pressure rise rate was gradually delayed. At the same time, the flame propagation speed gradually decreased. Additionally, the time taken for the flame to reach the edge of the window and the time taken for a crack as well as a cellular structure to appear on the flame surface was gradually delayed. The fluid dynamics uncertainty was suppressed. The explosion pressure and flame propagation processes were markedly suppressed, but the flame buoyancy instability was gradually enhanced. By comparing the effects of the two gas explosion suppressants on the pressure and flame propagation characteristics, it was found that at the same volume fraction, trifluoroiodomethane was significantly better than carbon dioxide in suppressing the explosion of methane. By comparing the reduction rates of the characteristic methane explosion parameters at a volume fraction of 9.5%, it was observed that the inhibitory effect of 4% trifluoroiodomethane on the maximum explosion pressure was approximately 4.6 times that of the same amount of carbon dioxide, and the inhibitory effect of 4% trifluoroiodomethane on the maximum explosion pressure rise rate and flame propagation speed was approximately 2.7 times that of the same amount of carbon dioxide. The addition of 0.5%–1.5% trifluoromethane to 4% and 8% carbon dioxide can improve the explosion suppression efficiency of carbon dioxide. This enhancing phenomenon is a comprehensive manifestation of the oxygen-decreasing effect of carbon dioxide and the trifluoroiodomethane-related endothermic effect and reduction in key free radicals.     

Numerical and reduced-scale experimental investigation of blast wave shape in underground transportation infrastructure

When an explosion occurs in a tunnel, the study of the blast wave quickly becomes complicated, owing to the multiple propagation patterns of the blast wave (incident wave, regular and Mach reflections) and to the geometrical conditions. Considering this problem, two patterns can be revealed. Near the explosive, the well-known free-field pressure wave can be observed. After multiple reflections on the tunnel's walls, this overpressure behaves like a one-dimensional (1D) wave. One aim of this paper is to determine the position of this transition spherical-to-planar wave propagation in a tunnel using both numerical and reduced-scale experiments, and thereby validate the dedicated law established in a previous work.For this purpose, a detonation of TNT in a tunnel with a cross-section of up to 55 m² is considered. Results show good agreement between the numerical simulations and experiments. The transition zone between the three-dimensional (3D) and the 1D wave is well detected. An application to a simplified subway station is also investigated which shows that significant planar waves can be transmitted to the neighboring stations via the junction tunnels.     

Methane–air detonation experiments at NIOSH Lake Lynn Laboratory

The methane–air detonation experiments are performed to characterize high pressure explosion processes that may occur in sealed areas of underground coal mines. The detonation tube used for these studies is 73 m long, 105 cm internal diameter, and closed at one end. The test gas is 97.5% methane with about 1.5% ethane, and the methane–air test mixtures varied between 4% and 19% methane by volume. Detonations were successfully initiated for mixtures containing between 5.3% and 15.5% methane. The detonations propagated with an average velocity between 1512 and 1863 m/s. Average overpressures recorded behind the first shock pressure peak varied between 1.2 and 1.7 MPa. The measured detonation velocities and pressures are close to their corresponding theoretical Chapman-Jouguet (CJ) detonation velocity (D_CJ) and detonation pressure (P_CJ). Outside of these detonability limits, failed detonations produced decaying detached shocks and flames propagating with velocities of approximately 1/2 D_CJ. Cell patterns on smokefoils during detonations were very irregular and showed secondary cell structures inside primary cells. The measured width of primary cells varied between 20 cm near the stoichiometry and 105 cm (tube diameter) near the limits. The largest detonation cell (105 cm wide and 170 cm long) was recorded for the mixture containing 15.3% methane.     

甲烷爆炸传播过程膜状障碍物的激励效应研究

针对管状空间内膜状障碍物对甲烷爆炸传播的激励效应现象,基于机理分析进行了数值模拟和实验研究,计算分析薄膜附近爆炸冲击波压力峰值大小与火焰速度变化,同时运用激波管道进行相同工况条件下的实验,并对两者结果对比分析,发现有无膜状障碍物的压力峰值相差6倍以上。研究表明,膜状障碍物的激励效应是破膜以后形成的带压燃烧,提高了燃烧速率,导致甲烷爆炸的火焰传播速度剧增。实验结果一定意义诠释了同样数量的甲烷气体爆炸在不同环境内后果上的巨大差异,研究结果对矿井瓦斯爆炸事故调查及防治具有指导意义。     

气体爆轰波在弯曲管道中传播特性的实验研究

对丙烷 -空气爆轰波通过 90°弯管道时的传播特性作了实验研究 ,主要是气体爆轰波通过弯管道前后的火焰速度以及加速情况的研究 ,初步得出 ,爆轰波经过弯管道后单位距离上的火焰速度增量显著增加。这一研究结果证明 ,弯曲管道对于爆燃与爆轰波火焰有明显的加速作用     

A methodology to predict shock overpressure decay in a tunnel produced by a premixed methane/air explosion

A methodology for estimating the blast wave overpressure decay in air produced by a gas explosion in a closed-ended tunnel is proposed based on numerical simulations. The influence of the tunnel wall roughness is taken into account in studying a methane/air mixture explosion and the subsequent propagation of the resulting shock wave in air. The pressure time-history is obtained at different axial locations in the tunnel outside the methane/air mixture. If the shock overpressure at two, or more locations, is known, the value at other locations can be determined according to a simple power law. The study demonstrates the accuracy of the proposed methodology to estimate the overpressure change with distance for shock waves in air produced by methane/air mixture explosions. The methodology is applied to experimental data in order to validate the approach.     

约束空间可燃气体燃烧爆轰特性的数值研究

在可燃气体的输送、贮存、加工和使用过程中,容易发生可燃气体的燃烧和爆炸事故。文中基于有限体积方法,采用五阶WENO格式进行左右状态量的重构后,利用ROE格式进行空间离散,自行开发程序对甲烷氧气的气相爆轰波传播过程进行了数值研究。计算结果表明:在CH4质量分数为10%的混合气体中,高温高压气团可诱导气相发生爆轰,爆轰波以2133.3 m/s的速度传播。在带有障碍物的约束空间内,文中分析了障碍物不同高度、不同间距条件下爆轰波传播时波的绕射、马赫反射等现象,给出障碍物表面压力随时间变化历程和冲量值,揭示波与障碍物的相互作用机理以及由此引发流场的变化规律,为有效地控制可燃气体的燃烧速率、防治爆炸灾害的发生提供理论依据。     

大长径比管道汽油-空气混合气爆炸与抑制实验研究*

为探究狭长受限空间中油气爆炸失控时的发展状态,探索高效环保的油气爆炸抑制方法,利用长径比155的管道开展92号汽油-空气混合气爆炸发展规律和七氟丙烷主动抑爆技术研究。通过测量不同端部开口条件下油气爆炸超压、火焰传播速度、火焰强度等参数,对比研究空爆和抑爆工况下的油气爆炸变化规律,探讨长直管道中的油气爆炸特性,分析七氟丙烷抑爆效果。结果表明:大长径比管道中,端部开口泄爆对降低油气爆炸破坏能力的作用较小,开口与否对最大超压峰值的出现位置有影响;长直管道空爆时,油气爆炸由爆燃发展成爆轰,管道尾部的爆轰波速可达近2 000 m/s;密闭管道中,爆轰发生前火焰传播呈“已燃区-火焰锋面-待燃区-前驱激波-未燃区”的2波3区结构;主动抑爆方式下七氟丙烷抑爆效果良好,最大超压峰值降低幅度可达90%,火焰传播被及时阻断。     

初始温度和初始压力对气体爆轰参数影响的研究

利用已有的气体爆炸模型和包含初始压力、初始温度的气体爆轰参数的计算公式,从理论上研究初始压力和初始温度对气体爆轰参数的影响情况。使用VisualBasic语言编写计算程序,将计算值与文献值进行对比,具有较好的一致性。以甲烷-空气混合物为例,计算在98000Pa,280～400K及298K,0.1～0.5MPa的气体爆轰参数。计算结果表明,初始压力一定,混合物的爆轰压随初始温度的升高而减小,爆轰波速增大;初始温度一定,混合物的爆轰压随初始压力的增大而增大,爆轰波速基本不变;在初始温度和初始压力两个影响因素中,初始压力对混合物爆轰参数的影响明显大于初始温度。     

长管中立体障碍物对瓦斯爆炸特性影响的研究

管道内可燃气体火焰传播与障碍物相互作用的过程的研究对爆炸场所预估和防爆工程设计具有重要的意义,在实际生产、生活中,火焰传播方向上的障碍物往往具有立体结构,基本没有平面结构,因此,利用长管密闭容器,在立体障碍物存在的条件下,研究了瓦斯爆炸压力和火焰传播速度。研究结果表明:随着障碍物数量的增加,瓦斯爆炸压力和火焰传播速度随之增大;阻塞率增加,瓦斯爆炸压力和火焰传播速度出现先增大后减小的现象,当阻塞率为50%时,其爆炸压力和火焰传播速度达到最大;障碍物的摆放形式对瓦斯爆炸压力和火焰传播速度也有一定的影响。     

DDT and detonation propagation limits in an obstacle filled tube

Experiments with hydrogen–air and ethylene–air mixtures at atmospheric pressure were carried out in a 6.1 m long, 0.1 m diameter tube with different obstacle configurations and ignition types. Classical DDT experiments were performed with the first part of the tube filled with equally spaced 75 mm (44% area blockage ratio) orifice-plates. The DDT limits, defining the so-called quasi-detonation regime, where the wave propagates at a velocity above the speed of sound in the products, were found to be well correlated with d/λ = 1, where d is orifice-plate diameter and λ is the detonation cell size. The only exception was the rich ethylene limit where d/λ = 1.9 was found. In a second experiment detonation propagation limits were measured by transmitting a CJ detonation wave into an obstacle filled (same equally spaced 44% orifice plates) section of the tube. An oxy-acetylene driver promptly initiated a detonation wave at one end. In this experiment the quasi-detonation propagation limits were found to agree very well with the d/λ = 1 correlation. This indicates that the d/λ = 1 represents a propagation limit. In general, one can conclude that the classical DDT limits measured in an orifice-plate filled tube are governed by the wave propagation mechanism, independent of detonation initiation (DDT process) that can occur locally in the obstacles outside these limits. For rich mixtures, transmission of the quasi-detonation into the smooth tube resulted in CJ detonation wave. However, in a narrow range of mixtures on the lean side, the detonation failed to transmit in the smooth tube. This highlights the critical role that shock reflection plays in the propagation of quasi-detonation waves.     

Pressure characteristics and dynamic response of coal mine refuge chamber with underground gas explosion

Coal mine refuge chambers are new devices for coal mine safety which can provide basic survival conditions after gas explosion. In order to simulate the propagation of underground methane/air mixture blast wave, and check structural safety of coal mine mobile refuge chamber, an underground tunnel model and a refuge chamber model have been established based on explicit nonlinear dynamic ANSYS/LS-DYNA 970 program. Results show that the reflected wave pressure on the impact surface was about two times higher than that on the incident one. The relationship between the pressure fields of the chamber was analyzed. The maximum pressure of gas explosion reached about 0.71 MPa, and the pulse width was 360 ms. The maximum absolute displacement and stress occurs at the main door center and the connection of stiffeners and the front plate, respectively. The entire coal mine mobile refuge chamber was in elastic state and its strength and stiffness meet the safety requirements. The cabin door, the front plate and the connecting flange at cabin back as well as the stiffeners on each side were the most critical components. Suggestions were put forward for the refuge chamber.