Experimental study on CO2/CF3I suppression of methane-air explosion and flame propagation

To explore the inhibitory effects of CF₃I and CO₂ gas on the explosion pressure and flame propagation characteristics of 9.5% methane, a spherical 20 L experimental explosion device was used to study the effect of the gas explosion suppressants on the maximum explosion pressure, maximum explosion pressure rise rate and flame propagation speed of methane. The results indicated that with a gradual increase in the volume fraction of the gas explosion suppressant, the maximum explosion pressure of methane and maximum explosion pressure rise rate gradually decreased, and the time taken to reach the maximum explosion pressure and maximum explosion pressure rise rate was gradually delayed. At the same time, the flame propagation speed gradually decreased. Additionally, the time taken for the flame to reach the edge of the window and the time taken for a crack as well as a cellular structure to appear on the flame surface was gradually delayed. The fluid dynamics uncertainty was suppressed. The explosion pressure and flame propagation processes were markedly suppressed, but the flame buoyancy instability was gradually enhanced. By comparing the effects of the two gas explosion suppressants on the pressure and flame propagation characteristics, it was found that at the same volume fraction, trifluoroiodomethane was significantly better than carbon dioxide in suppressing the explosion of methane. By comparing the reduction rates of the characteristic methane explosion parameters at a volume fraction of 9.5%, it was observed that the inhibitory effect of 4% trifluoroiodomethane on the maximum explosion pressure was approximately 4.6 times that of the same amount of carbon dioxide, and the inhibitory effect of 4% trifluoroiodomethane on the maximum explosion pressure rise rate and flame propagation speed was approximately 2.7 times that of the same amount of carbon dioxide. The addition of 0.5%–1.5% trifluoromethane to 4% and 8% carbon dioxide can improve the explosion suppression efficiency of carbon dioxide. This enhancing phenomenon is a comprehensive manifestation of the oxygen-decreasing effect of carbon dioxide and the trifluoroiodomethane-related endothermic effect and reduction in key free radicals.     

Suppression of gas explosion using vacuum chamber at different break-up times of diaphragm

Vacuum chamber is a new method to suppress the gas explosion. The explosion propagation characteristics have been studied in an L-shaped channel (tubes joined a right angle) with a vacuum chamber in the region of joining of the tubes. The vacuum chamber separated from the inner tubular space with the help of a diaphragm pierced by firing pin. The results demonstrate that the effect of explosion suppression of vacuum chamber is related to the break-up time of diaphragm and the position of the explosive flame front. When the diaphragm breaks up, the shorter the distance of flame front propagation is, the closer the flame front gets to the vacuum chamber, and the better effect of explosion suppression is, conversely, the worse the effect of explosion suppression is.     

可燃气体爆炸破坏效应的试验研究

借助高速摄像机及ProAnalyst软件,研究可燃气体体积分数和障碍物对可燃气体爆炸破坏力的影响。测定不同体积分数下的甲烷-空气预混气体爆炸冲击波超压,和爆炸火焰波在有无乒乓球方向传播的平均速度。试验结果表明:超压和平均速度均随着甲烷体积分数的增加呈现先增大后减小的变化趋势,其最大值均出现在甲烷体积分数为10%～11%之间;同一体积分数下的甲烷-空气预混气体爆炸火焰波在有乒乓球方向传播的平均速度比没有乒乓球方向传播的平均速度大。根据试验结果,推导出可燃气体爆炸冲击波超压和爆炸火焰波传播平均速度与可燃气体体积分数之间的函数关系,并得出障碍物对爆炸火焰波传播的加速作用随着体积分数的增加呈现先加强后减弱的变化趋势。     

长管中立体障碍物对瓦斯爆炸特性影响的研究

管道内可燃气体火焰传播与障碍物相互作用的过程的研究对爆炸场所预估和防爆工程设计具有重要的意义,在实际生产、生活中,火焰传播方向上的障碍物往往具有立体结构,基本没有平面结构,因此,利用长管密闭容器,在立体障碍物存在的条件下,研究了瓦斯爆炸压力和火焰传播速度。研究结果表明:随着障碍物数量的增加,瓦斯爆炸压力和火焰传播速度随之增大;阻塞率增加,瓦斯爆炸压力和火焰传播速度出现先增大后减小的现象,当阻塞率为50%时,其爆炸压力和火焰传播速度达到最大;障碍物的摆放形式对瓦斯爆炸压力和火焰传播速度也有一定的影响。     

Experimental study on the inhibition of methane/air explosion by modified attapulgite powder

In order to explore the influence of attapulgite powder on the methane explosion, a small-size semi-closed visual explosion experiment platform was built, and experiments were carried out. The effect of spraying powder on the whole process of methane explosion was studied when methane concentration was 7%, 8%, 9.5%, 11% and 12%, respectively. When the methane concentration was 11%, the maximum explosion overpressure dropped by modified spraying attapulgite powder was as high as 33.26%, and at the same time, the reduction rate of flame propagation velocity reached the maximum value of 36.65%. Furthermore, when the methane concentration was 9.5%, the experimental results when the powder spraying amount of modified attapulgite was 120 mg, 160 mg, 200 mg, 240 mg and 280 mg showed that when the powder spraying was 240 mg, the maximum explosive overpressure decreased by 33.14%, and the reduction rate of the peak flame propagation velocity reached the maximum value of 33.73%. Through the video images recorded by the high-speed camera, the flame structure, shape, color, etc. Were analyzed. The characterization analysis illustrated that the modified attapulgite powder has a small particle size, relatively large porosity and specific surface area. Also, it has a high weight loss rate. Combined with the results of characterization analysis, the explosion suppression mechanism of modified attapulgite powder was discussed. It was found that the modified attapulgite powder could effectively absorb the active free radicals generated in the explosion, and the modified new chemical components have a better thermal decomposition and endothermic effect and a better suppression of methane explosions.     

管道燃气爆炸特性实验研究

管道是化工及油气储运系统的重要组成部分,却时常受燃烧爆炸事故的威胁,因此对管道中燃气燃烧爆炸特性与规律的研究就十分必要。以甲烷作为研究对象,采用压力传感器以及火焰传感器等对水平封闭管道内甲烷-空气预混燃烧爆炸进行了实验研究,通过大量实验来研究可燃气体爆炸压力与火焰及其传播变化规律。根据实验结果将超压以及气体燃烧的变化情况,对前驱冲击波与火焰面的相对时间及相对位置关系进行了分析。结果显示,管道中会产生前驱压力波,并超前火焰阵面甲烷气体在管道传播过程中,出现冲击波反压射、波叠加及反冲现象,压力的持续时间较火焰光信号持续时间长。所做的工作为油气受限空间中燃气燃烧爆炸特性与规律的进一步研究及工业防爆抑爆技术及工艺的实施、系统设计以及关键参数计算提供了理论依据。     

Simple method for predicting pressure behavior during gas explosions in confined spaces considering flame instabilities

It is indispensable to predict the pressure behavior caused by gas explosions for the safety management against accidental gas explosions. In this study, a simple method for predicting the pressure behavior during gas deflagrations in confined spaces was examined. Previously the pressure behavior was calculated analytically assuming laminar flame propagation. However, the results of this method often provide underestimation compared with experimental data. It was known the underestimation intensifies as the scale of explosion spaces becomes larger. On the large scale gas deflagration, flame instability (especially hydrodynamic instability) might be more effective and wrinkles appeared on the flame front. Then, the flame surface area was increased and the propagating flame was gradually accelerated. The ordinary prediction methods led to the underestimation because the propagating flame was assumed to be laminar. In this study, we considered the effect of flame wrinkles caused by flame instabilities. By regarding the flame front as a fractal structure, the flame surface area could be modified. Because a flame surface starts to be wrinkled on a certain flame radius, proper determination of the critical flame radius provided accurate prediction of pressure behavior on a large scale deflagration. In addition, correction of the K_G value in a large vessel was discussed.     

油气浓度对半开口管道爆炸超压特性与火焰行为的影响

为了研究油气浓度对半开口管道爆炸超压特性与火焰行为的影响,建立半开口透明管道实验台架,采用5种不同初始油气浓度,进行了一系列油气爆炸对比实验。研究结果表明:油气浓度对油气爆炸超压峰值以及升压速率有显著影响,二者都呈现随浓度的增加先增大后减小的变化规律;油气浓度对火焰锋面传播速度有着显著影响,在当量浓度比下,火焰锋面的传播速度最大,并且火焰锋面的传播距离也最远;管道内的火焰行为可以分为4个阶段;油气浓度对火焰传播形态以及传播速度有明显的影响,对火焰传播形态的影响主要体现在破坏变形以及管道外爆炸阶段,随着浓度增加,爆炸半径先增大后减小,火焰传播速度呈现相同的变化规律。     

Nonlinear distribution characteristics of flame regions from methane–air explosions in coal tunnels

High temperature flame fronts generated in methane–air explosions are one of the major hazards in underground coal mines. However, the distribution laws of the flame region in explosions of this type and the factors influencing such explosions have rarely been studied. In this work, the commercial software package AutoReaGas, a finite-volume computational code for fluid dynamics suitable for gas explosion and blast problems, was used to carry out numerical simulations of a series of methane–air explosion processes for various initial premixed methane–air regions and cross-sectional areas in full-scale coal tunnels. Based on the simulated results and related experiments, the mechanism of flame propagation beyond the initial premixed methane–air region and the main factors influencing the flame region were analyzed. The precursor shock wave and turbulence disturb the initial unburned methane–air mixture and the pure air in front of the flame. The pure air and unburned mixture subsequently move backward along the axial direction and mix partially. The enlargement of the region containing methane induces that the range of the methane–air flame greatly exceeds the initial premixed methane–air region. The flame speed beyond the initial region is nonzero but appreciably lower than that in the original premixed methane–air region. The length of the initial premixed methane–air region has substantial influence on the size of the flame region, with the latter increasing exponentially as the former increases. For realistic coal tunnels, the cross-sectional tunnel area is not an important influencing factor in the flame region. These conclusions provide a theoretical framework in which to analyze accident causes and effectively mitigate loss arising from the repetition of similar accidents.     

障碍物对油气-空气混合气体泄压爆炸火焰传播特性影响

为了研究障碍物对油气泄压爆炸火焰传播特性的影响规律,进行了不同数量障碍物工况下的对比实验,并利用纹影仪和高速摄影仪记录了火焰传播过程,针对障碍物对火焰形态、火焰锋面位置及火焰传播速度的影响规律进行了研究,结果表明:圆柱体障碍物会导致油气泄压爆炸火焰形态产生褶皱和弯曲变形,诱导层流火焰向湍流火焰转变,加速火焰的传播,对油气泄压爆炸火焰的初始传播形态有显著影响;随着障碍物数量的增多,火焰锋面传播距离点火端的最大距离增大,但到达最远距离的时间减少;障碍物能够增强火焰的传播速度,尤其对障碍物下游火焰影响最为显著,随着障碍物数量的增多,火焰传播的最大速度也随之增大,但达到最大火焰传播速度的时间却随之减少;障碍物的存在增大了油气泄压爆炸过程外部爆炸压力,并且随着障碍物数量的增多,外部爆炸压力峰值增长幅度增大。     

含NaCl超细水雾抑制甲烷爆炸实验研究

为研究含NaCl添加剂超细水雾对甲烷爆炸的影响,在自制的半封闭透明管道内,进行含NaCl添加剂超细水雾抑制甲烷爆炸试验,通过检测和分析在不同NaCl浓度情况下超细水雾的粒径和甲烷爆炸的平均火焰传播速度、爆炸超压以及平均升压速率,探究NaCl浓度对超细水雾粒径及其对抑制甲烷爆炸有效性的影响。研究结果表明:NaCl浓度对超细水雾粒径影响较小;对于体积分数为9.5%的甲烷,相比于纯甲烷爆炸,其平均火焰传播速率、最大爆炸超压以及平均升压速率分别下降了53.7%,63.4%和60.7%,相比于超细纯水雾,其平均火焰传播速率、最大爆炸超压以及平均升压速率分别下降了38.6%,58%,56%;在通雾量相同的条件下,浓度为2.5%NaCl超细水雾对体积分数为9.5%的甲烷爆炸抑制性能最佳;含NaCl添加剂超细水雾的物理化学共同作用可以有效抑爆甲烷。     

Enhancement effects of methane/air explosion caused by water spraying in a sealed vessel

Experiments about the influence of ultrafine water mist on the methane/air explosion were carried out in a fully sealed visual vessel with methane concentrations of 8%, 9.5%, 11% and 12.5%. Water mists were generated by two nozzles and the droplets' Sauter Mean Diameters (SMD) were 28.2 μm and 43.3 μm respectively which were measured by Phase Doppler Particle Anemometer (PDPA). A high speed camera was used to record the flame propagation processes. The results show that the maximum explosion overpressure, pressure rising rate and flame propagation velocity of methane explosions in various concentrations increased significantly after spraying. Furthermore, the brightness of explosion flame got much higher after spraying. Besides, the mist with a larger diameter had a stronger turbulent effect and could lead to a more violent explosion reaction.     

The effect of orifice plates with different shapes on explosion propagation of premixed methane–air in a semi-confined pipeline

The effect of internal shape of obstacles on the deflagration of premixed methane–air (concentration of 10%) was experimentally investigated in a semi-confined steel pipeline (with a square cross section size of 80 mm × 80 mm and 4 m long). The obstacles used in this study were circular, square, triangular and gear-shaped (4-teeth, 6-teeth and 8-teeth) orifice plates with a blockage ratio of 75%, and the perimeter of the orifice was regarded as a criterion for determining the sharpness of the orifice plate. The overpressure history, flame intensity histories, flame front propagation speed, maximum flame intensity and peak explosion overpressure were analyzed. The explosion in the pipeline can be divided into two stages: initial explosion and secondary explosion. The secondary explosion is caused by recoiled flame. The perimeter is positively related to the intensity of the recoiled flame and the ability of orifice plate to suppress the explosion propagation. In addition, the increase in the perimeter will cause the acceleration of the flame passing through the orifice plate, while after the perimeter of the orifice reaches a certain value, the effect of the increase in perimeter on explosion excitation becomes no obvious. The overpressure (static pressure) downstream of the orifice plate is the result of the combined effect of explosion intensity and turbulence. The increase in perimeter leads to the increase in turbulence downstream of the orifice plate which in turn causes more explosion pressure to be converted into dynamic pressure.     

瓦斯煤尘爆炸特性及抑爆方法研究进展

为探究瓦斯煤尘爆炸特性及抑爆机理,本文通过一系列实验,研究瓦斯、煤尘爆炸的速度和温度等特征,提出利用图像相关系数法和辐射测温原理计算火焰传播速度及温度场变化,定量分析影响煤尘爆炸的因素以及产物变化规律,揭示煤尘爆炸的宏微观机制。结果表明:火焰分形维数可以用来反应瓦斯爆炸强度,即当分形维数更接近2.2937时爆炸反应最为强烈,其爆炸过程中自由基最终生成浓度与CH 4初始浓度呈倒U型关系;当量比对煤粉火焰爆炸压力及速度也有一定影响,在最佳当量比的2倍左右时可以达到最大爆炸压力和最大火焰传播速度。另外本文亦采用泡沫陶瓷对瓦斯的多次爆炸和连续爆炸进行抑爆,发现不同厚度和孔隙的泡沫陶瓷具有不同的抑制效果,孔隙较大的泡沫陶瓷对爆炸能量有较好的抑制作用。     

Experimental study on methane explosion characteristics with different types of porous media

Porous media has a significant effect on flame and overpressure of methane explosion. In this paper, the pore diameter and thickness of porous media are studied. Nine experimental combinations of different pore diameter and thickness on the propagation of flame and overpressure of methane explosion in a tube are analyzed. The results show that the porous media not only can suppress the explosive flame propagation, but the porous media with large pore diameter can cause deflagration and accelerate the transition of flame from laminar to turbulent. The pore diameter of the porous media mainly determines the quenching of the flame. Simply increasing the thickness of porous media may cause the flame to temporarily stop propagating, but the flame is not completely extinguished for larger pore diameter. However, the deflagration propagation speed of flame is affected by the thickness. The attenuation of overpressure by porous media is mainly reflected in reducing the duration of overpressure and the peak value of overpressure. The smaller the pore diameter, the greater the thickness, and the more remarkable the reduction in overpressure duration and peak value. Suitable pore diameter and thickness of porous media can effectively suppress flame propagation and reduce the maximum value and duration of overpressure.     

甲烷爆炸传播过程膜状障碍物的激励效应研究

针对管状空间内膜状障碍物对甲烷爆炸传播的激励效应现象,基于机理分析进行了数值模拟和实验研究,计算分析薄膜附近爆炸冲击波压力峰值大小与火焰速度变化,同时运用激波管道进行相同工况条件下的实验,并对两者结果对比分析,发现有无膜状障碍物的压力峰值相差6倍以上。研究表明,膜状障碍物的激励效应是破膜以后形成的带压燃烧,提高了燃烧速率,导致甲烷爆炸的火焰传播速度剧增。实验结果一定意义诠释了同样数量的甲烷气体爆炸在不同环境内后果上的巨大差异,研究结果对矿井瓦斯爆炸事故调查及防治具有指导意义。     

Flame propagation in hybrid mixture of coal dust and methane

To investigate the flame propagation through hybrid mixture of coal dust and methane in a combustion chamber, a high-speed video camera with a microscopic lens and a Schlieren optical system were used to record the flame propagation process and to obtain the direct light emission photographs. Flame temperature was detected by a fine thermocouple. The suspended coal dust in the mixture of methane and air was ignited by an electric spark. The flame propagation speeds and maximum flame temperatures of the mixture were analyzed. The results show that the co-presence of coal dust and methane improves the flame propagation speed and maximum flame temperature notably, which become much higher than that of the single-coal dust flame. The flame front temperature varies with the coal dust concentration.     

不同封闭情况下T型管道中瓦斯爆炸传播规律实验研究*

为研究不同封闭情况下T型管道中瓦斯爆炸的传播规律,在90°分岔管道中进行瓦斯爆炸实验,管道封闭情况为弱封闭（双PVC薄膜弱封闭）和强封闭（直管封闭或支管封闭）。实验结果表明:在瓦斯浓度为9.5%时,管道中各点处的瓦斯爆炸压力、火焰传播速度和火焰锋面振荡幅度最大,11%次之,8%最小。T型管道中,弱封闭端瓦斯爆炸压力不断减小;火焰传播速度先缓慢增大后减小,随后又快速增大。强封闭端,瓦斯爆炸压力增大;火焰传播速度先缓慢增大后略微下降,随后快速增大后又大幅度下降,甚至出现火焰锋面振荡现象。不同封闭管道中各测点的瓦斯最大爆炸压力和火焰传播速度大小比较可知,直管封闭管道＞双PVC薄膜弱封闭管道＞支管封闭管道。     

水雾抑制气体爆炸火焰传播的实验研究

利用自行设计的全程透明的火焰加速管系统和细水雾实验系统 ,对不同水雾条件下的气体火焰传播现象进行了实验研究。运用光电传感器与CCD摄像技术 ,笔者分析了不同水雾条件下的甲烷预混气体火焰传播速度、传播火焰阵面轨迹 ;探讨了水雾抑制气体火焰传播的机理及条件。实验发现了在一定条件水雾作用下的气体传播火焰阵面拉伸与火焰驻留的现象与条件 ,实验结果表明 :水雾对气体爆炸火焰传播的抑制是由于水雾作用于火焰阵面反应区 ,降低了反应区内火焰温度和气体燃烧速度 ,减缓了火焰阵面传热与传质的进行 ,从而使传播火焰得以抑制 ;而水雾对气体爆炸火焰传播的抑制效果与水雾通量、雾区浓度、水雾区长度以及火焰到达水雾区的火焰传播速度有关     

Scale effect of flame instability mechanisms on propagation velocity

Blast pressure is a major source of the damage caused by an accidental gas explosion. Its magnitude depends on the thermal expansion rate and hence on the flame propagation velocity. This paper discusses the influence of two flame instability mechanisms, i.e., diffusive-thermal and hydrodynamic instabilities, on flame propagation velocity with an emphasis on their scale effects as the flame continuously increases its size during an explosion. The Sivashinsky equation is numerically solved to simulate flame propagation behaviors. It is found that flame propagation velocity, V_f, is independent of flame size under the influence of diffusive-thermal instability, whereas V_f increases with flame size under the influence of hydrodynamic instability. The latter result is understood as a result of flame’s fractal structure. Fractal dimension is determined from the dependency of V_f on flame size, and the obtained fractal dimension is close to the known experimental value.