Effect of pyrolysis and oxidation characteristics on lauric acid and stearic acid dust explosion hazards

The effect of pyrolysis and oxidation characteristics on the explosion sensitivity and severity parameters, including the minimum ignition energy MIE, minimum ignition temperature MIT, minimum explosion concentration MEC, maximum explosion pressure P_max, maximum rate of pressure rise (dP/dt)_max and deflagration index K_st, of lauric acid and stearic acid dust clouds was experimentally investigated. A synchronous thermal analyser was used to test the particle thermal characteristics. The functional test apparatuses including the 1.2 L Hartmann-tube apparatus, modified Godbert-Greenwald furnace, and 20 L explosion apparatus were used to test the explosion parameters. The results indicated that the rapid and slow weight loss processes of lauric acid dust followed a one-dimensional diffusion model (D1 model) and a 1.5 order chemical reaction model (F1.5 model), respectively. In addition, the rapid and slow weight loss processes of stearic acid followed a 1.5 order chemical reaction model (F1.5 model) and a three-dimensional diffusion model (D3 model), respectively, and the corresponding average apparent activation energy E and pre-exponential factor A were larger than those of lauric acid. The stearic acid dust explosion had higher values of MIE and MIT, which were mainly dependent on the higher pyrolysis and oxidation temperatures and the larger apparent activation energy E determining the slower rate of chemical bond breakage during pyrolysis and oxidation. In contrast, the lauric acid dust explosion had a higher MEC related to a smaller pre-exponential factor A with a lower amount of released reaction heat and a lower heat release rate during pyrolysis and oxidation. Additionally, due to the competition regime of the higher oxidation reaction heat release and greater consumption of oxygen during explosion, the explosion pressure P_m of the stearic acid dust was larger in low concentration ranges and decayed to an even smaller pressure than with lauric acid when the concentration exceeded 500 g/m³. The rate of explosion pressure rise (dP/dt)_m of the stearic acid dust was always larger in the experimental concentration range. The stearic acid dust explosion possessed a higher P_max, (dP/dt)_max and K_st mainly because of a larger pre-exponential factor A related to more active sites participating in the pyrolysis and oxidation reaction. Consequently, the active chemical reaction occurred more violently, and the temperature and overpressure rose faster, indicating a higher explosion hazard class for stearic acid dust.     

基于模糊推理的FRAM事故定量分析方法研究

为有效克服FRAM事故分析中无法进行定量分析的缺陷，提出结合模糊推理技术的Fuzzy FRAM模型。此改进模型基于FRAM识别系统运行状态；依据功能输出要素的时间/精度属性利用Matlab构建2阶模糊推理系统量化功能输出质量；根据通用性能条件(CPC)及功能输入耦合端口构建功能评价体系，针对评价体系中存在的不确定性信息融合及建模问题，采用模糊证据推理技术，通过模糊信度结构建立、数据处理、信息融合测度后获得功能的风险指数;以既有铁路危险品运输事故为例，验证方法的可行性。结果表明:Fuzzy FRAM模型的评估结果较为精确，是FRAM分析方法的有效补充。     

基于风险的危险品道路运输安全容量研究

为了确定危险品道路运输安全容量，保障危险品道路运输安全，基于风险理念，使用对比研究方法，提出危险品道路运输个人风险基准，建立改进的危险品道路运输定量风险评估模型。结合提出的风险基准，提出危险品运输安全容量确定方法，解决了单一类别和多种类别危险品运输安全容量确定问题。研究结果表明:在某城市化工集聚区的实例应用该方法，能够大幅度降低危险品道路运输潜在生命损失，有助于保障危险品道路运输安全。     

Collecting representative dust samples: A comparison of various sampling methods in underground coal mines

Former methods used in the U.S. to assess hazardous and explosible coal dust date back to the 1950s. As mining technologies advanced, so too have the hazards. Given the results of the recent coal dust particle size survey and full-scale experimental mine explosion tests, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommended a new minimum standard, in the absence of background methane, of 80% total incombustible content (TIC) be required in the intake airways of bituminous coal mines, replacing the previous 65% TIC requirement. Most important to monitoring and maintaining the 80% TIC is the ability to effectively collect and analyze representative dust samples that would likely disperse and participate in dust explosion propagation. Research has shown that dust suspended on elevated surfaces is usually finer, more reactive, and more readily dispersible while floor deposits of dust are generally coarser and more difficult to disperse given the same blast of air. The roof, rib, and floor portions of the dust samples were collected and analyzed for incombustible content separately and the results were compared to a band sample of the roof, rib, and floor components. Results indicate that the roof and rib dust samples should be kept separate from floor dust samples and considered individually for analyses. The various experimental collection methods are detailed along with preferred sampling approaches that improve the detectability of potentially hazardous accumulations of explosible dust.     

Evaluating the overall efficiency of a flameless venting device for dust explosions

Results from cornstarch explosion tests using a flameless venting device (mounted over a burst disc) on an 8 m³ vessel are presented and used to determine the overall efficiency of the device, which is defined as the ratio between its effective vent area and the nominal vent area. Because these devices are comprised of an arrestor element mounted over an impulsively-actuated venting device (such as a burst disc), the functional form of the overall efficiency is taken as the product of the area efficiency (i.e., the ratio between the effective vent area of the entire assembly to that of the venting device without the arrestor element) and the burst efficiency (i.e., the ratio of the effective vent area of the venting device without the arrestor element to the nominal vent area). The effective vent areas are calculated from measured overpressures using three different empirical correlations (FM Global 2001, NFPA 2007, and VDI 2002). Furthermore, due to significant variations in the effective reactivity from test to test, a correction factor proportional to the initial flame speed is applied when determining the area efficiency. In general, it was found that the FM Global and NFPA methodologies yield consistent results with less scatter than VDI 3673.     

The influence of public transportation on housing values

Transit-oriented development (TOD) is becoming an increasingly common development strategy with potential consequences on property values. This study explores the potential relationship between the proximity to public transportation and housing values. The objective is achieved by performing a hedonic regression using the 2013 American Housing Survey (AHS) sample, which includes 25 metro areas. In 2013, the AHS added a topical supplement addressing public transportation issues which makes understanding public transportation impacts on housing values more feasible. In this study, being located within half a mile of a public transportation stop was a significant factor in explaining housing values for 6 out of 25 metro areas. This research is important to real estate practitioners operating within TODs as proximity to public transportation may significantly influence property values.     

集输油环境氟橡胶O形圈老化行为实验研究*

为研究氟橡胶O形圈在集输油环境中的老化行为特征，以长庆油田使用的氟橡胶O形圈(位于非金属复合管连接接头处)为研究对象，采用宏观与微观相结合的方法，通过挂片实验分析氟橡胶O形圈在不同介质（采出油，采出水）、温度（25，50 ℃）、压力条件（0.1,4,6 MPa）下老化后的形貌、质量、拉伸性能及硬度。结果表明:采出油、采出水均能引起O形圈发生溶胀，从而降低O形圈的强度、韧性、硬度；采出水引起的溶胀显著高于采出油更易导致O形圈表面产生坑洞缺陷；渗透速率随温度升高而急剧增加，压力对渗透速率的影响不明显；硬度降低较小，最大降幅为4.17%。结合现场服役813 d的密封圈SEM形貌，证实集输介质渗透会引起氟橡胶圈溶胀、导致表面产生坑洞等缺陷。     

Numerical study on premixing characteristics and explosion process of starch in a vertical pipe under turbulent flow

Fire and explosion accidents are frequently caused by combustible dust, which has led to increased interest in this area of research. Although scholars have performed some research in this field, they often ignored interesting phenomena in their experiments. In this paper, we established a 2D numerical method to thoroughly investigate the particle motion and distribution before ignition. The optimal time for the corn starch dust cloud to ignite was determined in a semi-closed tube, and the characteristics of the flame propagation and temperature field were investigated after ignition inside and outside the tube. From the simulation, certain unexpected phenomena that occurred in the experiment were explained, and some suggestions were proposed for future experiments. The results from the simulation showed that 60–70 ms was the best time for the dust cloud to ignite. The local high-temperature flame clusters were caused by the agglomeration of high-temperature particles, and there were no flames near the wall of the tube due to particles gathering and attaching to the wall. Vortices formed around the nozzle, where the particle concentration was low and the flame spread slowly. During the explosion venting, particles flew out of the tube before the flame. The venting flame exhibited a “mushroom cloud” shape due to interactions with the vortex, and the flame maintained this shape as it was driven upward by the vortex.     

Research on different venting performance between flat and curved bursting panels

There is a noticeable discrepancy in the ability to control reduced explosion overpressure between flat bursting panels and curved bursting panels with the same static activation overpressure. Flat bursting plates were observed to leak at approximately 80% of the static activation overpressure lower than curved bursting plates. A new experimental technique is proposed in our paper. Three different vent areas of flat and curved bursting panels were tested, there was significant difference in structural stiffness between flat bursting panels and curved bursting panels, which is the reason the discrepancy in the ability to control reduced explosion overpressure. The structural stiffness of the flat bursting panels is poorer than that of the other, and a greater deformation of the flat bursting panels occurs under the same load. The membrane stress caused by the explosion overpressure therefore produces a larger value in the flat bursting panels which causes it to open prematurely. Moreover, the smaller the vent area that is, the more significant discrepancy in controlling the reduced explosion overpressure between both bursting panels is. This experimental and theoretical result in our paper provides some useful experience for the method of explosion venting.     

CFD simulations of dust dispersion in the 1 m3 explosion vessel

According to standard procedures, flammability and explosion parameters for dusts and dust mixtures are evaluated in 20 L and/or 1 m³ vessels, with equivalent results provided a correct ignition delay time (60 ms in the 20 L vessel; 600 ms in the 1 m³ vessel). In this work, CFD simulations of flow field and dust concentration distribution in the 1 m³ spherical vessel are performed, and the results compared to the data previously obtained for the 20 L. It has been found that in the 1 m³ vessel, the spatial distribution of the turbulent kinetic energy is lower and much more uniform. Concerning the dust distribution, as in the case of the 20 L, dust is mainly concentrated at the outer zones of the vortices generated inside the vessel. Furthermore, an incomplete feeding is attained, with most of the dust trapped in the perforated annular nozzle. Starting from the maps of dust concentration and turbulent kinetic energy, the deflagration index K_St is calculated in both vessels. In the conditions of the present work, the K_St is found to be 2.4 times higher in the 20 L than in the 1 m³ vessel.