Prediction of flammability limits of fuel-air and fuel-air-inert mixtures from explosivity parameters in closed vessels

Flammability limits of fuel-air and fuel-air-inert gaseous mixtures, especially at non-atmospheric conditions, are essential properties required for establishing safety operating conditions for handling and processing flammable gases. For pure fuels, an important data pool exists, formed by the flammability limits of fuel-air and fuel-air-inert gaseous mixtures at ambient initial conditions measured by standard methods. Such methods can be used for experimental determination of flammability limits for multi-fuels mixed with air, with or without additives, under non-atmospheric conditions. Their use is however a time- and material-consuming process; in addition, the flammability limits obtained by various standard methods may be scattered as a result of different choices in the operating parameters, for each standard method. It appears that a preliminary estimation of the flammability limits for fuel-air and fuel-air-inert gaseous mixtures can minimize the effort of measuring them in specific initial conditions.The present paper describes a new method for estimating the flammability range of fuel-oxidizer gaseous mixtures based on measurements of explosivity properties e.g. the peak explosion pressure and maximum rate of pressure rise recorded during closed vessel laminar explosions of fuel-oxidizer mixtures far from limits. Data obtained for several hydrocarbon-air gaseous mixtures with or without inert gas addition are used to examine the accuracy of estimated flammability limits (LFL – the lower and UFL – the upper flammability limit) as well as of the Limiting Oxygen Concentration (LOC) and the Minimum Inert Concentration (MIC). The predictive ability of the proposed method is examined against the predictive ability of other recently described methods.     

Experimental flammability limits and associated theoretical flame temperatures as a tool for predicting the temperature dependence of these limits

The utility and limitations of adiabatic flame temperature calculations and minimum mixture energies in predicting the temperature dependence of flammability limits are explored. The limiting flame temperatures at constant pressure (1 bar) are calculated using a standard widely-used thermodynamic computer program. The computation is based on the calculated limiting flame temperature value at the reference initial temperature and the experimental limit concentration. The values recently determined in large chambers for the lower and upper flammability limits of a variety of simple organic and inorganic gases (methane, ethylene, dimethy lether, and carbon monoxide) are used as the basis for the predictions of the limiting flame temperature concept. Such thermodynamic calculations are compared with more traditional ones based on a limiting mixture energy and a constant average heat capacity of the reactant mixture. The advantages and limitations of the methods are discussed in this paper.     

Variability of operating safety limits with catalyst within a fixed-bed catalytic reactor for vapour-phase nitrobenzene hydrogenation

The safety in operation of a fixed-bed catalytic reactor remains a sensitive issue when a highly exothermic reaction is conducted and various process development elements such as controllability, stability, risk, and economic aspects are considered. Several model-based methods are used to estimate the safe operating region limits. Nominal conditions are set to limit the hot spot in the tubular reactor and avoid excessive thermal sensitivity to variations in the process parameters. When the catalyst or its characteristics are changed, the operating conditions have to be adjusted accordingly. The safety problem becomes more important when the production optimization requires setting the nominal operating point in the vicinity of the safety limits. This paper investigates the advantages as well as the precautions that need to be taken when using a more sophisticated model-based global sensitivity criterion (MV of Morbidelli & Varma) to routinely update the runaway critical conditions when changes in the investigated system frequently occur. A concrete example is provided for the case of an industrial fixed-bed catalytic reactor for nitrobenzene hydrogenation in vapour-phase. The analysis points out the discrepancies in predicting the runaway boundaries for complex processes between precise sensitivity-based MV-method and shortcut methods, and the importance of accounting for parameter uncertainty for both evaluation of the confidence region around the runaway boundaries and for the optimal set-point location. The close connection between the operating risk limits and the process kinetics is also highlighted even if the reactor geometry and the main flow conditions are kept unchanged.     

截齿截割煤体变形破坏过程数值模拟研究

采用应变软化的模型,使用连续介质快速拉格朗日分析法(FLAC,FastLagrangianAnaly-sisofContinue)进行数值模拟计算;研究截齿截割作用下煤体变形破坏过程;分析各种工况下不同参数对煤体塑性区、最大位移、最大主应力、最大剪应力的影响。研究表明:截割力与塑性区大小成正比,位移、剪应力、主应力随截割力增大而增大;截深与塑性区大小成反比;截割角度与塑性区面积关系密切,试验用煤体最佳截割角度为5°左右;截割速度增加,塑性区面积减小;通过分析截割动态过程,得到位移矢量图及剪应变等值线图,发现截割过程中煤体的破坏是拉、剪联合作用的结果,以剪破坏为主。     

Ergonomics in Practice: Physical Workload and Heat Stress in Thailand

This study consists of assessments of the thermal environment and physio-logical strain in tasks associated with airport, construction, and metal jobs. The number of male and female participants was 108. Environmental heat stress was evaluated with the WBGT index. Physiological strain was evaluated by the relative cardiovascular load (%CVL) based on the measurements of heart rate. Also the increase of body temperature, weight loss, and perceived discomfort were determinated. At work sites the assessments lasted for 2 to 4 hrs for each participant. The mean physiological strain exceeded the level of 30%CVL. Severe peaks (over 60%CVL) were observed in specific tasks being in agreement with perceived discomfort ratings. The increase of body temperature and weight loss in most cases remained within acceptable limits. For the most strenuous tasks, various ergonomic improvements were developed in consultation with workers and managers.     

Effects of legal BAC limits on fatal crash involvement: analyses of 28 states from 1976 through 2002

PROBLEM: Hundreds of laws have been implemented in the United States over the past few decades designed to reduce alcohol-impaired driving and the crashes that often result. One approach has been to lower the legally allowable alcohol concentration for drivers. We examined the effects of changes in legal BAC limit in 28 U.S. states from January, 1976 to December, 2002. METHOD: An interrupted time-series quasi-experimental design was used, incorporating non-alcohol-related crashes as comparisons. Four outcome measures of alcohol-related crash involvement were examined: single-vehicle nighttime, BAC=0.01-0.07, BAC=0.08-0.14, and BAC>/=0.15. Missing BAC test result data were handled by using multiple imputations. Analyses involved estimation of state-specific ARIMA models, controlling for other factors affecting overall crash rates and other major DUI policy changes. Inverse variance weighting methods were used to pool results across states for the most precise underlying estimate of effect of legal BAC limits. RESULTS: Considerable state by state variability in estimated effects was observed, but results from the pooled analyses were clear and consistent. Changes in legal BAC limits significantly affected alcohol-related fatal crash involvement for both the SVN and BAC test result measures, and the laws affected drivers at all drinking levels. SUMMARY: An estimated 360 deaths are prevented each year in the United States as a result of the move from a 0.10 to 0.08 legal limit in recent years, and an additional 538 lives could be saved each year if the United States reduced the limit to 0.05, consistent with limits in most countries worldwide. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Given the significant effects of lower legal BAC limits on fatal crash involvement, businesses should support implementation of laws that further reduce the legal BAC limit for all drivers. Furthermore, all companies should set higher standards for employees, such as a zero allowable BAC limit for driving during work time.     

Where to focus? Insights from safety personnel and external safety consultants on lessons learned about safety climate interventions – A qualitative approach

Introduction: Safety climate is important for promoting workplace safety and health. However, there is a dearth of empirical research on the effective ways of planning, designing, and implementing safety climate interventions, especially regarding what is going to be changed and improved. To address this gap, the present study sought to extract a comprehensive pool of compiled suggestions for safety climate intervention based on qualitative interviews with professionals in occupational safety and health management from potentially hazardous industries. Method: A series of systematic semi-structured interviews, guided by a comprehensive sociotechnical systems framework, were conducted with company safety personnel (n = 26) and external safety consultants (n = 15) of 21 companies from various industries. The taxonomy of five work system components of the sociotechnical systems approach served as overarching themes, representing different areas of improvement in an organization for occupational safety and health promotion, with an aim of enhancing safety climate. Results: Of the 36 codes identified, seven codes were based on the theme of external environment work system, four were based on the theme of internal environment work system, five were based on the theme of organizational and managerial structure work system, 14 codes were based on the theme of personnel subsystem, and six were based on the theme of technical subsystem. Conclusions: Safety climate intervention strategies might be most commonly based upon the principles of human resource management (i.e., codes based on the personnel subsystem theme and organizational and managerial structure work system theme). Meanwhile, numerous attributes of external/internal environment work system and technical subsystem can be jointly improved to bolster safety climate in a holistic way. Practical Applications: More systematic and organized management of safety climate would be available when various interrelated codes pertinent to a given context are carefully considered for a safety climate intervention.     

Consequences of raising the speed limit

Two methods were used to assess the potential impact of increased speed limits on highway fatalities. These were: (a) a method used by National Safety Council (NSC) in estimating the causes of decreased motor vehicles in the 1970s and (b) a method used by the National Research Council, Transportation Research Board (TRB) in reporting on 10 years of experience with the 55 mph speed limit. Applying the NSC method to 1984 fatality data resulted in estimated increases of 200 to 700 deaths per year on rural interstates depending on how much the speed limit was raised. Using the TRB method resulted in estimated increases of 300 to 450 deaths per year if each state returned to pre-1974 speed limits.     

甲烷/空气混合气燃爆特性的实验研究

对不同初始压力和温度条件下的甲烷/空气混合气的爆炸极限进行实验研究,利用最大-最小准则来确定爆炸极限.分析了温度和压力对甲烷/空气混合气燃爆特性的影响.采用氮气作为惰性气体,对其防爆抑爆效果进行了实验研究.     

基于有限元的局部突变位移载荷下埋地管道力学分析

冻土融沉、盐渍土溶陷等地质灾害会导致局部土壤产生一定位移,对埋地长输管道安全性构成威胁。为保障埋地管道的安全运行,建立了局部突变型位移载荷作用下埋地管道力学分析模型,采用非线性土弹簧描述管土相互作用,分析了局部突变区域长度及突变位移量对埋地管道受力的影响。研究结果表明:因局部突变区长度与突变位移量的不同,管道存在3种受力状态,当局部突变区域长度大于临界突变区长度时,管道轴心应变与弯曲应变在突变区域内不产生耦合,此时在突变区域两端可等效为2个垂直正断层,即为第一种受力状态;当突变区域长度小于临界突变区长度时,随着突变位移的增加,管道应变随之增加,管道轴心应变与弯曲应变在突变区域内不断叠加,即为第二种受力状态;在第二种受力状态基础上,当突变位移大于临界突变位移时,管道应变不再发生变化,管道等效为受到垂向均布荷载的作用,即为第三种受力状态。研究结果可为工程中管道穿越地质灾害区域的设计提供参考。     

General and public opinion about the general speed limits in Finland in 1973–1974

This article analyzes the general opinion (of the population) and the public opinion (of the press) about the general speed limits in Finland during the speed limit experiment of 1973–1976, as well as background and changes of opinions. The results showed: (1) The public opinion on speed limits has been more negative than the general opinion. (2) Negative attitudes toward speed limits are connected to at least three side issues — right-wing ideology, motoring as sport, and speed limits as a threat to one's own traffic behavior. (3) The significant decrease in traffic accidents during the speed limit experiment acted as a pressure of facts that rapidly increased the number of supporters of speed limits. (4) Comparison with other studies showed no great differences in support of speed limits among the countries of Europe. In West Germany, however, the public opinion about speed limits was more negative than in Finland.     

Kinematic planning of slew manoeuvres after actuator failure for low-cost satellites

A kinematic scheme is presented which allows for planning attitude manoeuvres of satellites after actuator failure. The scheme relies on the identification of admissible rotation axes around which the control system can deliver torque components in spite of the failure. Two techniques discussed in the literature, based on a single rotation that either minimizes the angular displacement from a given target attitude or aims a sensor exactly along a prescribed direction, are compared with a new technique based on a two-step approach, which allows for achieving any prescribed attitude by means of a sequence of two feasible rotations. Dynamic simulation is used for analysing potential capabilities and limits of the considered kinematic approaches to manoeuvre planning of under-actuated satellites.     

含半无限长裂纹压电材料的Ⅲ型强度因子

研究了含半无限长裂纹压电材料在平面内电场和反平面荷载作用下的问题 ,得到了满足拉普拉斯方程、裂纹面边界条件的位移函数解和电势函数解及电弹场的基本解 ,并得到了应力、应变、电位移强度因子和能量释放率。研究结果表明 ,在裂尖 ,电场强度没有奇异性 ,而应变、应力、电位移具有奇异性。     

Potential effects of lowering the BAC limit on injuries,fatalities, and costs

IntroductionPotential health and cost impacts of lowering the BAC limit for U.S. drivers below .08% were explored through analyses of reductions in crash incidence, injury severity, and costs based on five scenarios with varying assumptions about how the change to a .05% BAC limit might affect alcohol-impaired driving.MethodsDistribution of crashes by injury level and highest driver or non-occupant BAC levels for 2010, together with unit crash costs provided a base for comparison. Scenario 1 assumed all alcohol-impaired driving ceased; scenario 2 assumed all drivers obeyed the law, and scenario 3 assumed decreases in driver BAC levels would be limited to those who had been driving near the legal limit before the change. Scenario 4 was based on changes in driver BAC levels associated with a 08% to .05% BAC limit change in Australia, and scenario 5 was based on changes in alcohol-related crashes associated with the change to the .08% BAC limit in the United States. The number of casualties prevented in each scenario was estimated using relative risks of crash involvement, and changes in societal costs were estimated using the unit costs.ResultsReductions ranging from 71% to 99% in fatalities, injuries, and costs related to alcohol-impaired driving were estimated in scenarios 1 and 2. Scenarios 3–5 produced smaller reductions ranging from 4% to 16% for alcohol-impaired fatalities, injuries, and costs.ConclusionThe wide difference between the outcomes of the two sets of scenarios reflects the sensitivity of BAC policy benefits to driver compliance behavior.Practical applicationThe quantification of the reduction in the number and costs of traffic crash casualties in the set of behavioral scenarios explored in this research can inform policymakers about the extent and limits of benefits achievable by lowering the BAC limits as they consider strategies to reduce alcohol-impaired driving.     

基于有限元强度折减法的露天磷矿高边坡稳定性分析

针对尖山磷矿开采实际情况,利用ANSYS有限元分析软件建立了考虑重力载荷作用的高边坡体稳定性分析数值模型,运用强度折减法折减边坡岩体的黏聚力和内摩擦角,根据计算结果分析尖山磷矿东采区高边坡在重力作用下的稳定情况。结果表明:当折减系数由1.33增加到1.34时,高边坡体的位移、塑性应变发生突变,通过边坡失稳的主要判据判定目前尖山磷矿东采区高边坡的安全系数为1.33,边坡稳定。     

Study on the dynamic response of polyurea coated steel tank subjected to blast loadings

Steel tanks are widely used in the storage of various chemical liquids, and the blast resistance of the tanks is very important because of the explosiveness of these liquids. To explore a feasible method to improve the blast resistance of steel tanks, the effect of polyurea coating on the blast resistance of steel storage tank is investigated in this paper. The responses of monolithic steel tanks and polyurea coated tanks under blast loads are studied by field blast experiments using TNT explosive, and the results shows that the polyurea layers are effective in reducing the maximum and residual displacements of the tank. Numerical simulations are performed and validated, and the deformation process and stress and strain distribution of the tanks are analyzed accordingly. The increase on the bending moment of the plastic hinge lines of the tanks and the increase of the area density of the cylindrical shell induced by the polyurea layers are believed to be the two main factors contributing to the displacement reduction effect of polyurea in this paper. The validated numerical model is used to study the influence of polyurea layer's thickness on the deflection of the tank, and a nearly inversely proportional relationship between the thickness and the maximum displacement is found. Three deformation modes of the tanks are identified when subjected to blast load with varying intensity and it is found that the displacement reduction effect of polyurea varies in different deformation modes.     

Effects of initial temperature and pressure on explosion characteristics of propane–diluent–air mixtures

The explosion characteristics of propane–diluent–air mixtures under various temperatures and pressures were investigated using a 20-L apparatus. The explosion limits of propane diluted with nitrogen or carbon dioxide were measured at high temperatures from 25 to 120 °C. The results showed that the upper explosion limit (UEL) increased, and the lower explosion limit (LEL) decreased with the rising temperature. The explosion limits of propane diluted with nitrogen or carbon dioxide were also measured at high pressures from 0.10 to 0.16 MPa. The results showed that the UEL increased, and the LEL almost remainedunchanged along with increased pressure. Under the same initial operating conditions, the concentration of nitrogen required to reach the minimum inerting concentration (MIC) point was higher than the concentration of carbon dioxide. Finally, the study investigated the limiting oxygen concentration (LOC) of propane under various initial temperatures, initial pressures, and inert gases. The LOC of propane decreased approximately linearly with increased temperature or pressure, and the LOC of propane dilution with carbon dioxide was greater than dilution with nitrogen from 25 to 120 °C or from 0.10 to 0.16 MPa, which indicated that the dilution effect of carbon dioxide was better than that of nitrogen.     

电力配电房在火灾下的有限元模拟分析

针对钢框架结构形式的电力配电房在基本荷载组合工况下构件承载能力的关键问题,运用ABAQUS有限元分析软件对模型进行空间静力分析,得出电力配电房在各种工况下的最不利荷载及其位置;针对电力配电房在火灾工况下构件耐火性能的关键问题,运用ABAQUS模拟分析其在火灾工况下的温度场分布和钢框架结构的承载能力和力学性能,并对这两类工况对比分析。研究结果表明:在基本荷载工况下,电力配电房在恒荷载与活荷载形成的组合效应下产生的沿X、Y、Z方向的剪力和弯矩最大,且其形成的竖向位移也最大;在火灾工况下,电力配电房最大应力位置与普通荷载工况大致相同,但最大位移位置不同;虽有局部钢材应力超限,但钢框架结构仍具备承载能力,设计人员可将应力超限的构件替换为屈服强度更高的钢材而非全部替换,既保证了整体结构的安全性,又达到节约材料降低造价的目的。     

Experimental measurement and numerical analysis of binary hydrocarbon mixture flammability limits

The flammability limits of binary hydrocarbon mixtures in air were measured in a combustion apparatus using an innovative method developed for this apparatus. The experimental results were obtained at standard conditions (room temperature and ambient atmospheric pressure) with upward flame propagation. The experimentally determined flammability limits for pure hydrocarbons (methane and ethylene) were compared with existing data reported in the literature. Le Chatelier's Law was fit to all experimental data to obtain LFLs and UFLs for various two-component combinations of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons (methane, ethylene, acetylene, propane, propylene, and n-butane). A modification of this law was used if experimental observations showed large deviations from Le Chatelier's predictions. Also, experimentally measured flammability limit data of the binary hydrocarbon mixtures were analytically related to the stoichiometric concentrations.     

Reliability of police-reported information for determining crash and injury severity

Posted speed limit and police-reported injury codes are commonly used by researchers to approximate vehicle impact and occupant injury severity. In-depth crash investigations, however, produce more precise measures of crash and injury severity: change in velocity (delta-V) for crash severity and Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) scores for injury severity. A comparison of data from police crash reports with that gathered by National Automotive Sampling System (NASS) investigators highlighted the inadequacy of speed limit and police injury codes as proxies for delta-V and AIS injury severity. In general, delta-V increased with speed limit and higher values of AIS were associated with higher police-coded injury severity, but there were a number of anomalies. In particular, 49% of the drivers coded by police as having incapacitating injuries actually had sustained no more than minor injuries. This overstatement of injury severity was less frequent among male (44%) and elderly (37%) drivers than among female (53%) and nonelderly (50%) drivers. Also, 79% of the investigated vehicles that crashed on roads posted at 60 mph (96 km/h) or higher experienced a delta-V less than 25 mph (40 km/h). Safety studies depending on data from only police reports to establish injury or crash severity therefore could produce erroneous results.