Influence of thermal shock of piezoelectric pressure sensors on the measurement of explosion pressures

Piezoelectric pressure sensors are susceptible to changing temperatures, because resulting mechanical deformations of the sensor membrane and housing may exert a positive or negative force on the piezo crystal, thus changing the reading of this sensor. The consideration and compensation of this influence quantity is a frequent topic of many investigations in the field of combustion chambers, of spark-ignition engines and internal combustion engines. However, this is not the case in the field of the type of protection “flameproof enclosures”. Here a peculiarity is the fast temperature rise during a single explosion and the concurrent influence of the temperature gradient, which is often described as thermal shock. The whole event has a typical duration time of the order of seconds and less. Thermal shocks have so far received little attention, as was also a lesson learnt from the evaluation of an interlaboratory comparison between Ex testing laboratories. The laboratories handle thermal shock in a variety of ways, starting from complete ignorance up to various sophisticated coatings. This was a main source of different results within the field of participants. This work evaluates the behavior of different piezoelectric pressure sensor types with respect to thermal shock. Different temperature protection measures are investigated regarding their functionality, practicability and stability. Possible influences on the sensitivity of the sensors due to the used protective measures regarding thermal shock are shown. The transient temperature load of the sensor membrane is estimated by physical calculations as well as numerical analysis based on surface temperature measurements transformed in a surface heat flux density. This work provides guidelines for typical end-users in the field of flameproof enclosures how to handle thermal shock correctly.     

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.     

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.     

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。     

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.     

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).     

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.     

Effect of rusting and mechanical damage of gap surfaces on efficiency of flame gaps in flameproof electrical apparatus

Potentially incendiary electrical apparatus for use in the presence of explosive gas atmospheres have 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 gaps in the enclosure wall be designed to prevent a gas explosion inside the enclosure from being transmitted to an explosive gas cloud outside it. Current standards (IEC) require that flame gap surfaces have a surface roughness of <6.3 μm. Any damaged flame gap surface has to be restored to this quality. The present investigation has demonstrated that flame gap surfaces in flameproof electrical apparatuses can suffer considerable corrosive and mechanical damage without any reduction of gap performance. In some cases very significant mechanical surface damage in fact improves gap performance. Possible physical reasons for this are discussed. These findings indicate that current high costs of repairing and replacing flameproof electrical apparatus in process plants offshore and onshore can be significantly reduced without any increase of explosion risks.     

湍流状态下甲烷爆炸特性的实验研究

利用20L近球形气体爆炸反应装置,测试甲烷在宏观静止和湍流两种不同状态下的爆炸特性。实验结果表明:甲烷的爆炸极限受其流动状态的影响不明显;湍流状态下甲烷爆炸压力Pm和爆炸压力上升速率(dp/dt)m较宏观静止状态明显增大,爆炸压力峰值时间tm明显缩短,其中爆炸压力上升速率受湍流影响较为显著;甲烷浓度不同,其爆炸受湍流影响的程度也不同,较高浓度(11%～16%)时的Pm受湍流的影响程度较大,越靠近最佳浓度(dp/dt)m和tm受湍流的影响程度越大;同一浓度下Pm和(dp/dt)m随着湍流的加强而增大,tm则缩短。该研究表明,避免和减少湍流对矿井瓦斯爆炸过程的抑制具有重要作用。     

压力管道泄漏声发射源定位的实验研究

结合实验室声发射仪和油气管道设备,建立了充气管道泄漏声发射检测系统模型,分别在传感器间距、管道压力和泄漏量三种变化状态下进行了泄漏源定位影响实验。对管道泄漏声发射信号的时域统计特征、频域分布特征以及泄漏信号的相关性作了分析;从声信号能量累计和衰减特性方面对互相关定位法和幅度衰减测量区域定位法的可行性进行了计算,表明在传感器间距较小和泄漏量较小的状态下,在背景噪声较小的环境中,用互相关法具有较好的定位精度;而幅度衰减测量区域定位方法对泄漏源的定位误差较大。     

Venting of deflagrations: hydrocarbon–air and hydrogen–air systems

A set of 34 experiments on vented hydrocarbon–air and hydrogen–air deflagrations in unobstructed enclosures of volume up to 4000 m³ was processed with use of the advanced lumped parameter approach. Reasonable compliance between calculated pressure–time curves and experimental pressure traces is demonstrated for different explosion conditions, including high, moderate, low and extremely low reduced overpressures in enclosures of different shape (L_max:L_min up to 6:1) with different type and position of the ignition source relative to the vent, for near-stoichiometric air mixtures of acetone, methane, natural gas and propane, as well as for lean and stoichiometric hydrogen–air mixtures. New data were obtained on flame stretch for vented deflagrations.The fundamental Le Chatelier–Brown principle analog for vented deflagrations has been considered in detail and its universality has been confirmed. The importance of this principle for explosion safety engineering has been emphasized and proved by examples.A correlation for prediction of the deflagration–outflow interaction number, χ/μ, on enclosure scale, Bradley number and vent release pressure is suggested for unobstructed enclosures and a wide range of explosion conditions. Fractal theory has been employed to verify the universality of the dependence revealed of the deflagration–outflow interaction number on enclosure scale.In spite of differences between the thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of hydrocarbon–air and hydrogen–air systems, they both obey the same general regularities for vented deflagrations, including the Le Chatelier–Brown principle analog and the correlation for deflagration–outflow interaction number.     

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     

惰性气体抑制瓦斯爆燃火焰传播特性实验研究*

为研究惰性气体抑制瓦斯爆燃火焰传播特性,在自行搭建的中尺度爆炸激波管道上,采用数据采集系统、压电式传感器、火焰传感器、同步控制系统和激光纹影测试系统,通过对比4种不同喷射压力（0.5,1.5,2.5,3.5 MPa）的实验工况,选用N2做为惰性介质时抑制火焰的传播特性与喷射压力密切相关,火焰传播速度随着喷射压力增加呈现先增加后减弱的趋势。研究结果表明:少量N2在管道中扩散,加剧了未反应预混气体的扰动状态,造成火焰阵面褶皱的卷吸能力增强,进而加速化学反应进程,促进预混气体燃烧;喷射压力为1.5 MPa时,火焰阵面拉升、变形最强,火焰传播速度提高,最高可达到250 m/s;喷射压力为3.5 MPa时,火焰阵面出现明显三维凹陷结构,运动发生明显滞后现象,火焰传播速度大幅度降低至5.4 m/s,惰性气体抑制火焰传播效果明显。     

An application of 3D gasdynamic modeling for the prediction of overpressures in vented enclosures

A three-dimensional gasdynamic model with constant burning rate is applied for the prediction of the maximum pressure rise from gaseous combustion in vented enclosures. A series of calculations for an enclosure with aspect ratio close to unity are presented. Both cases with and without obstacles in the enclosure are considered. Results of calculations are compared with a simple 0D solution for spherical vessels. It is shown that, in cases without obstacles, the 0D solution for the maximum reduced overpressures is close to the predictions of the detailed modeling. In cases with obstacles, the detailed simulation gives significantly higher overpressures than those from the 0D model. However, in all the cases the reduced pressures are correlated well with the maximum flame surface area.     

竖直分支管道泄爆开启压力对甲烷爆燃压力的影响研究

针对市政排污管网等典型受限空间内可燃气体爆燃风险,建立由水平管道和竖直分支管道构成的数值模型,研究竖直分支管道不同泄爆开启压力对甲烷爆燃压力的影响.研究结果表明:不同泄爆开启压力条件下,管道内存在爆燃压力积聚和泄放的双重效应;水平管道内各测点压力时程曲线均表现为先增大后减小而后出现亥姆霍兹振荡,随着与爆源距离的增加,初...     

A numerical approach to investigate the maximum permissible nozzle diameter in explosion by hot turbulent jets

The ignition of a combustible environment by hot jets is a safety concern in many industries. In explosion protection concepts, for a protection of the type “flameproof enclosures” a maximum permissible gap is of major importance. In this work a numerical framework is described to investigate the ignition processes by a hot turbulent jet which flows out from such gaps. A Probability Density Function (PDF) method in conjunction with a reaction-diffusion manifold (REDIM) technique is used to model the turbulent reactive flow. In this paper the ignition of a stoichiometric mixture of hydrogen/air gas by a hot exhaust turbulent jet is examined. The impact of the nozzle diameter on the ignition delay time is investigated, too. The method is used to explore the maximum nozzle diameter for specific boundary conditions for which there is no ignition.     

对称障碍物条件下瓦斯爆炸火焰与压力波耦合作用研究

为了研究对称障碍物条件下瓦斯爆炸压力波与火焰传播的耦合作用,在150 mm×150 mm×1 700 mm的有机玻璃瓦斯爆炸管道中,距离点火端不同距离安装0.5阻塞率的对称障碍物,进行8.5%甲烷体积分数的爆炸试验,采集瓦斯爆炸的超压信号并同步拍摄火焰传播图像。结果表明:火焰穿越板式对称障碍物的过程经历了火焰加速、火焰降速到火焰再加速的过程,火焰降速的时间仅为5 ms。距离点火焰源不同长度的对称障碍物在火焰加速过程中的作用存在明显差异,近点火源的障碍物作用主要为诱导湍流,远离点火源的障碍物作用主要为湍流增强。     

Experimental study on explosion characteristics of ethanol-gasoline blended fuels

In the present work, a series of experiments have been performed to analyze the explosion characteristics of ethanol-gasoline with various blended ratios (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 80%, and 100%). A vented rectangular vessel with a cross-section of 100 mm × 100 mm, 600 mm long and a 40 mm diameter vent on the top is used to carry out the experiments. The flame propagation is recorded by a phantom high-speed camera with 5000 fps, while the histories of the explosion overpressure are measured by two PCB pressure sensors and the explosion sound pressure level is obtained by a CRY sound sensor. The results indicate that the maximum overpressure and flame propagation speed increases linearly as the blended ratio increases when the initial volume of blended fuel is 1.0 mL; While the change of explosion overpressure and flame propagation speed shows a trend of decreasing at first and then increasing as the concentration increases to 1.8 mL. It is also found that the peak of the sound pressure level exceeds 100 dB under all tests, which would damage the human's hearing. What's more, relationships between explosion overpressure and sound pressure level are examined, and the change of the maximum overpressure can be reflected to some extent by the measurement of the maximum sound pressure level. The study is significant to reveal the essential characteristic of the explosion venting process of ethanol-gasoline under different initial blended ratios, and the results would help deepen the understanding of ethanol-gasoline blended fuels explosion and the assessment of the explosion hazardous.     

结构响应与损伤识别敏感性探讨

利用小波多分辨分析的特性,研究结构不同位置加速度响应信号对损伤的敏感性问题。通过对一个5层框架结构在不同损伤工况下的数值计算结果表明,不同位置的加速度传感器表征结构损伤特性的能力是不同的,每一传感器只能描述其附近区域结构的工作状态。如果仅利用某一个或者某一些传感器信息进行损伤诊断,就有可能导致错误的诊断结论。只有综合利用多传感器的数据信息,才能使损伤识别更具全局性,才可能准确地识别出结构损伤的发生。