Inhibition effects of Al(OH)3 and Mg(OH)2 on Al-Mg alloy dust explosion

To identify a superior explosion suppressant for Al-Mg alloy dust explosion, the inhibition effects of Al(OH)₃ and Mg(OH)₂ powders on Al-Mg alloy explosion were investigated. A flame propagation suppression experiment was carried out using a modified Hartmann tube experimental system, an explosion pressure suppression experiment was carried out using a 20-L spherical explosion experimental system, and the suppression mechanisms of the two kinds of powders on Al-Mg alloy dust explosion were further investigated. The results demonstrate that by increasing the mass percentages of Al(OH)₃ and Mg(OH)₂, the flame height, flame propagation speed and explosion pressure of deflagration can be effectively reduced. When 80% Mg(OH)₂ powder was added, the explosion pressure was reduced to less than 0.1 MPa, and the explosion was restrained. Due to the strong polarity of the surface of Mg(OH)₂, agglomeration easily occurs; hence, when the added quantity is small, the inhibition effect is weaker than that of Al(OH)₃. Because the Mg(OH)₂ decomposition temperature is higher, the same quantity absorbs more heat and exhibits stronger adsorption of free radicals. Therefore, to fully suppress Al-Mg alloy explosion, the suppression effect of Mg(OH)₂ powder is better.     

超细CaCO3惰化剂对铝合金抛光伴生粉尘爆炸的防控效果*

为探究超细粉体惰化剂对铝合金抛光伴生粉尘爆炸特性的影响规律,利用标准化实验装置及自行搭建的实验平台,在对爆炸基本参数进行测试的基础上,分别研究超细CaCO3粉体对抛光废弃物粉尘点燃敏感度的钝化作用以及对爆炸火焰传播进程的惰化效果,并在相同条件下与同等粒径高纯度铝粉的实验效果进行比对。研究结果表明:铝合金抛光废弃物粉尘最小点火能量为280 mJ,而同等粒径高纯度铝粉最小点火能量为35 mJ;在铝合金抛光废弃物粉尘质量浓度为300 g/m3条件下,发生爆炸的火焰传播速度峰值为7.4 m/s,约为高纯度铝粉的57%,铝合金抛光废弃物粉尘的爆炸敏感度及猛烈度均低于高纯度铝粉;当超细CaCO3粉体的惰化比为30%时,可将铝合金抛光废弃物粉尘的最小点火能量钝化至约1 J,爆炸火焰失去持续传播能力,惰化作用效果充分显现。     

PAN dust explosion inhibition mechanisms of NaHCO3 and Al(OH)3

We investigate the PAN dust explosion inhibition behaviors of NaHCO₃ and Al(OH)₃ in a 20 L spherical explosion system and a transparent pipe explosion propagation test system. The results show that, in the standard 20 L spherical explosion system, the highest PAN dust explosion concentration is 500 g/m³, the maximum explosion pressure is 0.661 MPa, and the maximum explosion pressure increase rate is 31.64 MPa/s; adding 50% NaHCO₃ and 60% Al(OH)₃ can totally inhibit PAN dust explosion. In the DN0.15 m transparent pipe explosion propagation test system, for 500 g/m³ PAN dust, the initial explosion flame velocity is 102 m/s, the initial pressure is 0.46 MPa, and the initial temperature is 967 °C; adding 60% NaHCO₃ and 70% Al(OH)₃ can totally inhibit PAN dust explosion flames. Through FTIR and TG analyses, we obtain the explosion products and pyrolysis patterns of the explosion products of PAN dust, NaHCO₃, and Al(OH)₃. On this basis, we also summarize the PAN dust explosion inhibition mechanisms of NaHCO₃ and Al(OH)₃.     

Inerting effect of N2 on explosion of LDPE dust/ethylene hybrid mixtures

Explosion flame propagation characteristics and overpressure distribution of low density polyethylene (LDPE) dust and ethylene hybrid mixture were investigated under N₂ inerting conditions using a custom-designed 12 L cylindrical explosion tank. The results showed that a small amount of ethylene could promote the explosion characteristics of LDPE dust. N₂ inerting had different inhibitory effects on the explosion flame of LDPE dust and its mixture with ethylene. The explosion overpressure strength of the LDPE dust/ethylene hybrid mixture decreased with increasing N₂ concentration. The overall suppression effect of N₂ on the explosion overpressure of the LDPE dust was better than that of the LDPE dust/ethylene hybrid mixture explosion. As the ethylene concentration increased from 0% to 2.5%, the limiting oxygen concentration decreased by 13% oxygen. This small amount of ethylene restricted the traditional inerting process. The study conclusions can provide further scientific basis for the inerting and explosion proofing design of production process equipment involving LDPE dust.     

Combustion characteristics of pure aluminum and aluminum alloys powders

In this work, the explosion and combustion characteristics of aluminum and some aluminum alloys AlSi7Mg0.6, AlSi10Mg, AlMg5 under powders conditioning were studied. The idea was to compare the combustion of pure aluminum and aluminum alloys. The Minimum Ignition Energy (MIE) and explosion severity ΔP_max and (dP/dt)_max which represents the dust explosion parameters were measured for all powders using Hartman tube and 20 L spherical bomb. The particles temperature and flame temperature were determined by using IR pyrometer and spectroscopy respectively. The results showed that pure aluminum was more sensitive and severe than its alloys. MIE were: 4 mJ for pure aluminum, 13–23 mJ for aluminum alloys. For severity parameters, the overpressure ΔP_max were around 7–8 bars with maximum rate of pressure rise at 1170 bar/s for aluminum and 5–7 bars with 250–360 bar/s for alloys. However, it has been observed that flame temperatures were similar for aluminum and alloys and vary around 2800–3300 K as a function of concentration.     

Inerting characteristics of ultrafine Mg(OH)2 on starch dust explosion flame propagation

Experiments on the flame propagation of starch dust explosion with the participation of ultrafine Mg(OH)₂ in a vertical duct were conducted to reveal the inerting evolution of explosion processes. Combining the dynamic behaviors of flame propagation, the formation law of gaseous combustion products, and the heat dissipation features of solid inert particles, the inerting mechanism of explosion flame propagation is discussed. Results indicate that the ultrafine of Mg(OH)₂ powders can cause the agglomeration of suspended dust clouds, which makes the flame combustion reaction zone fragmented and forms multiple small flame regions. The flame reaction zone presents non-homogeneous insufficient combustion, which leads to the obstruction of the explosion flame propagation process and the obvious pulsation propagation phenomenon. As the proportion of ultrafine Mg(OH)₂ increases, flame speed, flame luminescence intensity, flame temperature and deflagration pressure all show different degrees of inerting behavior. The addition of ultrafine Mg(OH)₂ not only causes partial inerting on the explosion flame, but also the heat dissipation of solid inert particles affects the acceleration of its propagation. The explosion flame propagation is inhibited by the synergistic effect of inert gas-solid phase, which attenuates the risk of starch explosion. The gas-solid synergistic inerting mechanism of starch explosion flame propagation by ultrafine Mg(OH)₂ is further revealed.     

Synergistic inhibition of aluminum dust explosion by gas–solid inhibitors

The inhibition mechanism of gas-solid inhibitors on Al dust explosion was investigated experimentally in a closed cuboid chamber. The variation of parameters concerning flame propagation characteristic and explosion severity used to reflect the synergistic inhibition effect of gas-solid inhibitors on Al dust explosion were elucidated. The results showed that flame propagation velocity and explosion overpressure were inhibited with the increase of gas-solid inhibitors. The inhibition curves of gas-solid inhibitors within the experimental range were further obtained. The reason concerning the SEEP phenomenon was revealed through the GC-MS analysis. The combustion of ammonia enhanced the explosion overpressure when solid inhibitors performed at low concentration. The gas-phase product could be regarded as the inert gas as long as enough amount of inhibitors were added. To comprehend the inhibition mechanism of gas-solid inhibitors, X-ray diffraction was applied to figure out the crystal structure of explosion residue. The results indicated that both physical and chemical inhibition effects were imposed on Al dust explosion by gas-solid inhibitors, including endothermic decomposition, dilution of oxidizer, coverage of Al dust, and scavenger of free radicals. The results of this study will provide a scientific basis for the design of inhibition technology for the dust explosion.     

Inhibition effects of aluminum dust explosions by various kinds of ammonium polyphosphate

In this work, vinyltriethoxysilane (A151) and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH550) were used to modify ammonium polyphosphate (APP), showing that the dispersibility of APP could be improved remarkably by A151 and KH550. The maximum explosion pressure of aluminum dust explosion decreased with the addition of APP, A151-APP (APP-A) and KH550-APP (APP-B), with the exception of the case where the inerting ratio (α) of APP-A was less than 0.4. After the addition of APP-B, there was little difference in flame propagation behavior and explosion pressure compared with that of adding APP, indicating that APP-B could retain the inhibition performance of APP compared with APP-A. When the inerting ratios of APP, APP-A and APP-B were 1.2, 1.4 and 1.4, respectively, the aluminum dust explosion could be completely inhibited. The explosion residues of aluminum dust/APP mainly consisted of Al₂O₃, P-containing and N-containing compounds. It could be analyzed that APP exerted the inhibition effect through both chemical and physical effects.     

CO2-超细水雾对瓦斯/煤尘爆炸抑制特性研究

为了解CO2-超细水雾对瓦斯/煤尘爆炸抑制特性，用自行搭建的实验系统，从超压、火焰传播速度和火焰结构3个方面研究了CO2-超细水雾形成的气液两相介质对9.5%瓦斯/煤尘复合体系爆炸的抑爆效果、影响因素与原因。研究结果表明:随着CO2体积分数和超细水雾质量浓度的增加，爆炸火焰最大传播速度、爆炸超压峰值均出现明显下降，火焰到达泄爆口时间显著延迟；尤其当CO2体积分数达到14%与超细水雾的共同抑爆效果凸显，瓦斯/煤尘复合体系爆炸超压的“震荡平台”消失，同时火焰结构呈现“整体孔隙化”。所得结论为煤矿井下高效防爆抑爆技术进行了完善和增强。     

不同含水率煤尘在瓦斯爆炸诱导下爆炸传播规律研究

为了探究不同含水率煤尘在瓦斯爆炸诱导下的爆炸传播规律,利用自行搭建的直管瓦斯爆炸诱导煤尘二次爆炸实验系统,从冲击波压力和火焰传播速度2个方面,研究了不同含水率沉积煤尘在瓦斯爆炸诱导下的爆炸传播规律和原因。研究结果表明:当煤尘含水率小于40%时,管道内沉积煤尘会在瓦斯爆炸诱导下产生二次爆炸,同时沉积煤尘总量一定时,沉积煤尘二次爆炸产生的冲击波超压峰值和火焰传播速度随着煤尘含水率的增加先增大后减小;当沉积煤尘含水率为20% 时,煤尘二次爆炸产生的冲击波超压峰值、火焰传播速度峰值达到最大值,分别为1.657 MPa和468.060 m/s;当沉积煤尘含水率大于40%时,沉积煤尘无法产生二次爆炸,此时爆炸产生的威力小于单一瓦斯爆炸,火焰传播速度衰减较无煤尘的瓦斯爆炸更快,沉积煤尘起到抑制瓦斯爆炸传播的作用。研究结果可以为防治煤尘二次爆炸提供理论依据。     

Effect of flame propagation regime on pressure evolution of nano and micron PMMA dust explosions

Experiments using an open space dust explosion apparatus and a standard 20 L explosion apparatus on nano and micron polymethyl methacrylate dust explosions were conducted to reveal the differences in flame and pressure evolutions. Then the effect of combustion and flame propagation regimes on the explosion overpressure characteristics was discussed. The results showed that the flame propagation behavior, flame temperature distribution and ion current distribution all demonstrated the different flame structures for nano and micron dust explosions. The combustion and flame propagation of 100 nm and 30 μm PMMA dust clouds were mainly controlled by the heat transfer efficiency between the particles and external heat sources. Compared with the cluster diffusion dominant combustion of 30 μm dust flame, the premixed-gas dominant combustion of 100 nm dust flame determined a quicker pyrolysis and combustion reaction rate, a faster flame propagation velocity, a stronger combustion reaction intensity, a quicker heat release rate and a higher amount of released reaction heat, which resulted in an earlier pressure rise, a larger maximum overpressure and a higher explosion hazard class. The complex combustion and propagation regime of agglomerated particles strongly influenced the nano flame propagation and explosion pressure evolution characteristics, and limited the maximum overpressure.     

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。     

铝粉爆炸无火焰泄压技术及装备研究

为有效防止粉尘爆炸泄爆引起的二次爆炸及火灾问题，基于泄压理论、消火机理，设计开发无火焰泄压装置，装置主要由消火结构、底座、爆破片及夹持机构组成，消火结构由不锈钢金属丝网组成。选择铝粉尘为测试粉尘，通过自建除尘系统试验平台进行试验研究。结果表明:无火焰泄压装置可成功阻止火焰传播，装置释放的冲击波在5 m外均小于5 kPa，除尘系统内部最大泄爆压力为0.1 MPa，装置前端火焰传播速度均大于100 m/s。     

Inhibiting effect of inhibitors on ignition sensitivity of wood dust

Wood products are easy to produce dust in the production and processing process, and have a serious explosion risk. In order to improve the safety of wood products production, the inhibiting effects of magnesium hydroxide (MTH), SiO₂, melamine polyphosphate (MPP) on the minimum ignition energy (MIE) and minimum ignition temperature (MIT) of wood dust were experimentally studied. The results showed that the inhibiting effects of inhibitors on the MIE of wood dust show the order of MPP > SiO₂>MTH. The order of the inhibiting effects on the MIT of wood dust was MPP > MTH > SiO_2. When 10% MPP was added to wood dust, the time when the flame appears (T_appear) and the time when the flame reaches the top of the glass tube (T_top) obviously rose to 80, 140 ms. Therefore, MPP had the best inhibiting effect on the ignition sensitivity of wood dust.According to thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests, the introduction of MPP leaded to lower maximum mass loss rate (MMLR), higher temperature corresponding to mass loss of 90% (T_0.1), residual mass and heat absorption. In addition, thermogravimetric analysis/infrared spectrometry (TG-IR) results showed that MPP produced H₂O (g) and NH₃ (g) during the thermal decomposition process, which diluted the oxygen.     

Characteristics of dust explosion venting pressure and flame under high activation pressure

A 20 L spherical explosive device with a venting diameter of 110 mm was used to study the vented pressure and flame propagation characteristics of corn dust explosion with an activation pressure of 0.78–2.1 bar and a dust concentration of 400∼900 g/m³. And the formation and prevention of secondary vented flame are analyzed and discussed. The results show that the maximum reduced explosion overpressure increases with the activation pressure, and the vented flame length and propagation speed increase first and then decrease with time. The pressure and flame venting process models are established, and the region where the secondary flame occurs is predicted. Whether there is pressure accompanying or not in the venting process, the flame venting process is divided into two stages: overpressure venting and normal pressure venting. In the overpressure venting stage, the flame shape gradually changes from under-expanded jet flame to turbulent jet flame. In the normal pressure venting stage, the flame form is a turbulent combustion flame, and a secondary flame occurs under certain conditions. The bleed flames within the test range are divided into three regions and four types according to the shape of the flame and whether there is a secondary flame. The analysis found that when the activation pressure is 0.78 bar and the dust concentration is less than 500 g/m³, there will be no secondary flame. Therefore, to prevent secondary flames, it is necessary to reduce the activation pressure and dust concentration. When the dust concentration is greater than 600 g/m³, the critical dust concentration of the secondary flame gradually increases with the increase of the activation pressure. Therefore, when the dust concentration is not controllable, a higher activation pressure can be selected based on comprehensive consideration of the activation pressure and destruction pressure of the device to prevent the occurrence of the secondary flame.     

含弱约束端面直角管道汽油蒸气爆炸及七氟丙烷抑爆研究*

为研究七氟丙烷对汽油蒸气爆炸抑制作用,搭建含弱约束端面直角管道汽油蒸气爆炸抑制实验系统,开展汽油蒸气爆炸实验研究,并与喷入七氟丙烷抑爆介质进行对比,分析爆炸超压值、火焰强度值和火焰传播速度等爆炸特性参数变化情况。结果表明:在1.3%,1.5%和1.7%汽油蒸气体积分数下,不加抑爆介质时,爆炸超压值、火焰强度和火焰传播速度随着汽油蒸气体积分数的升高而增大;将七氟丙烷作为抑爆介质喷入时,爆炸超压峰值分别下降91.06%,34.57%和50.92%,火焰强度降幅达到99.83%,火焰传播速度几乎降为0,火焰持续时间随之缩短几乎为0,七氟丙烷具有良好的阻隔防爆效果。     

Experimental research on methane/air explosion inhibition using ultrafine water mist containing methane oxidizing bacteria

In order to deeply understand the inhibitory effect of ultrafine water mist containing methane-oxidizing bacteria on methane explosion, a small-sized semi-closed visual experimental platform was built. Five different application mist amounts (0.7 mL, 2.1 mL, 3.5 mL, 4.9 mL, 6.3 mL) of ultrafine water mist containing methane-oxidizing bacteria on 9.5% methane explosion were studied experimentally. Ultrafine water mist was generated by the ultrasonic atomization generator, and mist size was measured by a winner319 laser particle size analyzer. During the methane explosion, a high-frequency pressure sensor collected pressure change data, and a high-speed camera recorded the flame development process. The results indicated that the maximum explosion overpressure (ΔP_max) decreased with time, and the arrival time of the maximum explosion overpressure (ΔP_max) delayed. The appearance time of the “tulip” shaped flame delayed, and the flame propagation speed decreased. The ultrafine water mist and deposition can effectively inhibit the methane explosion. The explosion suppression effect of the second step spraying water mist was better. The improvement of the explosion suppression effect of the ultrafine water mist containing methane-oxidizing bacteria was attributed to the degradation effect of the methane-oxidizing bacteria. Under long-term degradation, methane-oxidizing bacteria in water mist play a role in inhibiting methane explosion.     

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.     

Experiment-based investigations of magnesium dust explosion characteristics

An experimental investigation was carried out on magnesium dust explosions. Tests of explosion severity, flammability limit and solid inerting were conducted thanks to the Siwek 20 L vessel and influences of dust concentration, particle size, ignition energy, initial pressure and added inertant were taken into account. That magnesium dust is more of an explosion hazard than coal dust is confirmed and quantified by contrastive investigation. The Chinese procedure GB/T 16425 is overly conservative for LEL determination while EN 14034-3 yields realistic LEL data. It is also suggested that 2000-5000 J is the most appropriate ignition energy to use in the LEL determination of magnesium dusts, using the 20 L vessel. It is essential to point out that the overdriving phenomenon usually occurs for carbonaceous and less volatile metal materials is not notable for magnesium dusts. Trends of faster burning velocity and more efficient and adiabatic flame propagation are associated with fuel-rich dust clouds, smaller particles and hyperbaric conditions. Moreover, Inerting effectiveness of CaCO₃ appears to be higher than KCl values on thermodynamics, whereas KCl represents higher effectiveness upon kinetics. Finer inertant shows better inerting effectiveness.     

七氟丙烷对狭长受限空间油气爆炸抑制实验研究

为研究七氟丙烷对油气爆炸的抑制作用,研制了主动式油气爆炸抑制装置,搭建 了狭长受限空间油气爆炸抑制实验系统,进行了油气爆炸抑制实验,并与无抑爆介质条 件进行了对比,分析了爆炸超压值、火焰传播速度和火焰强度等特性参数变化情况。实 验结果表明:当以3、4和5 kg七氟丙烷作为抑爆介质时,最大超压值分别下降34.05%、 50.78%和55.87%,平均火焰传播速度分别下降72.15%、79.87%和89.23%,火焰持续时间 明显缩短,火焰强度减弱;随着七氟丙烷质量的增加,抑爆效果越显著。