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.     

Acceleration sensitivity of piezoelectric pressure sensors and the influence on the measurement of explosion pressures

To measure the explosion pressure inside an enclosure, it is common to install a piezoelectric pressure sensor in the enclosure wall. The pressure wave of the internal explosion inevitably leads to vibrations of the enclosure walls. This unwanted but naturally occurring motion is also transmitted to the pressure sensor mounted in the enclosure wall and results in inertial forces affecting the piezoelectric element. During the measurement of the explosion pressure, this affects the output signal of the pressure sensor since an undesired signal due to the acceleration of the pressure sensor is superimposed on the desired pressure signal. This behaviour of the sensor is described as acceleration sensitivity. The level of acceleration sensitivity depends on the type and construction design of the pressure sensor. Even though this sensor behaviour is basically not a new phenomenon, the evaluation of an international comparison between Ex testing laboratories in the field of flameproof enclosures has shown that the consideration of this issue is a major challenge in daily practice concerning the measurement of explosion pressures and is even often completely neglected.This work evaluates the behaviour of various piezoelectric pressure sensors with respect to the influence of acceleration and investigates the specific impact on the explosion pressure measurement in the field of flameproof enclosures. For this purpose, explosions from typically used explosive mixtures such as hydrogen, propane and ethyne in air are examined. These investigations involve simple model enclosures with various specifications as well as a commercially available equipment for hazardous areas. By using blind holes and specially designed adapters, a practical method is applied to be able to detect the effect of acceleration on the sensor signal separately from the pressure signal. For this purpose, both the discrete-time pressure curves and the frequency components are analysed using Fast Fourier Transform. The use of signal filters as a practical and fast approach to address these unwanted signal components is discussed and evaluated.This paper provides guidelines for typical end-users in the field of flameproof enclosures how to handle acceleration of piezoelectric pressure sensors and the influence on the measurement of explosion pressures correctly.     

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.     

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。     

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).     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Vented gaseous deflagrations: modelling of translating inertial vent covers

A model of explosion pressure build up in enclosures with translating inertial vent covers is presented. The previous approach, valid for inertia-free vents, is advanced by appending to it a new model of translating inertial vent cover displacement. The model and CINDY code are validated against experiments by Höchst and Leuckel (J. Loss Prev. Process Ind. 11 (1998) 89) in a 50-m³ vessel with vertically translating covers with surface densities of 42 and 89 kg/m² at conditions of initially quiescent and turbulent mixtures. It is demonstrated for the first time that modelling of the vent cover jet effect is crucial for prediction of interdependent pressure-time and cover displacement-time transients, whereas air drag force and cushioning effects are negligible. The model was used further to investigate the influence of vent cover surface density on venting generated turbulence, via comparisons with experimental data of Cooper et al. (Combust. Flame 65 (1986) 1) in a 1-m³ enclosure with vertically translating covers of various surface densities up to 200 kg/m². The increase of the turbulence factor, i.e. total premixed flame front wrinkling factor, with cover inertia is obtained and explained.     

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.     

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.     

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     

多元混合气体爆炸特性及惰化防爆研究

为了完善常见多元混合气体爆炸特性参数数据库,为安全工程师开展城镇燃气防爆管理、安全操作规程的制定及对废弃管道进行改造、拆除提供依据,采用理论和试验方法对CO2与N2两种惰性气体对液化石油气(LPG)爆炸特性参数的影响规律进行了研究,对比分析了两种惰化剂对LPG的抑爆效果。结果表明:LPG体积分数为4.0%、CO2体积分数为22%时,LPG可燃气退出爆炸区间,此时极限氧体积分数为15.54%;LPG体积分数为3.5%、N2体积分数为32%时,LPG可燃气退出爆炸区间,此时极限氧体积分数为13.545%;两种惰化剂对LPG爆炸特性的抑制规律基本相似,但CO2的抑制效果明显优于N2。当CO2和N2充入的体积分数均为20%时,最大爆炸压力到达时间分别由166 ms延长到1 222 ms和826.30 ms;两种惰化剂用量在体积分数大于10%之前,对最大爆炸压力到达时间的影响均较小,因此在工程应用中采用惰化方式抑爆,惰化剂充入的体积分数需高于10%。     

激波诱导下煤粉的爆炸压力测试

因气体爆炸导致沉积粉尘的二次爆炸的威力远大于单纯的气体或者粉尘爆炸产生的威力,利用自制的装置,诱导煤粉爆炸的激波由甲烷气体爆炸产生,对激波诱导下煤粉的爆炸压力Pmax、爆炸压力上升速率(dp/dt)max进行了实验研究。该实验分别研究煤粉浓度及煤粉粒度对爆炸指数的影响,其结果表明:对于不同的煤粉浓度,存在一个理想煤粉浓度值,在这个浓度下的煤粉爆炸压力值最大;随着煤粉粒度的减小,其爆炸压力不断升高。     

An integrated model for vent area design of hydrocarbon-air mixture explosion inside cubic enclosures with obstacles

This study aims to develop an integrated model - NFPA-68-BRANN model, which can be used to calculate the vent areas of cubic enclosures with obstacles. Seven experiments regarding vented explosion inside the obstructed enclosure are reviewed and applied to check the accuracy of two existing standards, i.e. the NFPA-68 2018 and the BS EN 14994:2007. Accordingly, the parameters to describe the flame development in the NFPA-68 2018 are amended by adopting the Bauwens model. Bayesian Regularization Artificial Neuron Network (BRANN) model presenting the non-linear relationship between the turbulent flame enhancement factor X and its affecting factors is subsequently developed. Eventually, the NFPA-68-BRANN model is generated by incorporating the BRANN model into the modified NFAP-68 2018. The accuracy of the NFPA-68-BRANN model is validated by using a series of the New Baker Test data.     

Experimental investigation of gas explosion in single vessel and connected vessels

Gas explosion in connected vessels usually leads to high pressure and high rate of pressure increase which the vessels and pipes can not tolerate. Severe human casualties and property losses may occur due to the variation characteristics of gas explosion pressure in connected vessels. To determine gas explosion strength, an experimental testing system for methane and air mixture explosion in a single vessel, in a single vessel connected a pipe and in connected vessels has been set up. The experiment apparatus consisted of two spherical vessels of 350 mm and 600 mm in diameter, three connecting pipes of 89 mm in diameter and 6 m in length. First, the results of gas explosion pressure in a single vessel and connected vessels were compared and analyzed. And then the development of gas explosion, its changing characteristics and relevant influencing factors were analyzed. When gas explosion occurs in a single vessel, the maximum explosion pressure and pressure growth rate with ignition at the center of a spherical vessel are higher than those with ignition on the inner-wall of the vessel. In conclusion, besides ignition source on the inner wall, the ignition source at the center of the vessels must be avoided to reduce the damage level. When the gas mixture is ignited in the large vessel, the maximum explosion pressure and explosion pressure rising rate in the small vessel raise. And the maximum explosion pressure and pressure rising rate in connected vessels are higher than those in the single containment vessel. So whenever possible, some isolation techniques, such as fast-acting valves, rotary valves, etc., might be applied to reduce explosion strength in the integrated system. However, when the gas mixture is ignited in the small vessel, the maximum explosion pressures in the large vessel and in the small vessel both decrease. Moreover, the explosion pressure is lower than that in the single vessel. When gas explosion happens in a single vessel connected to a pipe, the maximum explosion pressure occurs at the end of the pipe if the gas mixture is ignited in the spherical vessel. Therefore, installing a pipe into the system can reduce the maximum explosion pressure, but it also causes the explosion pressure growth rate to increase.     

基于FLACS的CH4/CO2/air混合气爆炸参数分析

利用FLACS软件分析初始压力、初始温度对CH4/CO2/air混合气的爆炸温度、最大爆炸压力的影响;并与计算值对比。结果表明:①初始压力对爆炸温度、爆炸前后压力比影响可以忽略。常温变压条件下二氧化碳浓度增加,爆炸温度与爆炸前后压力比基本呈线性降低。常压变温条件较复杂,二氧化碳浓度升高爆炸温度降低;初始温度对低浓度（<15%）二氧化碳混合气爆炸温度几乎没有影响,而高浓度（>15%）二氧化碳混合气爆炸温度随初始温度增加而升高;最大爆炸压力随二氧化碳浓度以及温度升高而降低。②在设定条件下,低浓度（5%~10%）二氧化碳混合气爆炸温度计算值与模拟值相对误差小于5.5%,吻合较好;最大爆炸压力计算值与模拟值相对误差在6.5%～10.5%之间。     

浓度对橡胶粉尘爆炸特性的影响

为了解橡胶粉尘的爆炸危险性,采用20 L球爆炸测试装置对常温常压下、粒径75μm以下的橡胶粉尘在质量浓度50~700 g/m3范围内的爆炸特性进行试验研究,测定其最大爆炸压力及爆炸指数随质量浓度的变化规律,进而对其爆炸危险性程度进行分级。结果表明:橡胶粉尘质量浓度为300 g/m3时,爆炸压力达到最大值0.49MPa;在橡胶粉尘质量浓度为250 g/m3时,爆炸指数达到最大值5.04MPa·m/s,根据ISO 6184粉尘爆炸烈度等级分级标准,其粉尘爆炸危险性分级为St-1级。