About stability of the ignition process of small solid particle

The distributed mathematical model of magnesium particle ignition is developed taking into account the heterogeneous chemical reaction and the domain of particle thermal influence on gas. The problem solvability in the stationary case has allowed one to expand classification of regular modes of heating as well as the modes of extinction and ignition of a particle. The limiting size of a gas layer near a particle is found that determines an ignition mode. It is shown that the ignition delay time grows if we take into account the gas layer near the particle. Stability of some heating modes within the framework of finite and infinitesimal perturbations is studied. An opportunity to control the ignition process by high-frequency thermal action on the unstable particle gas states is shown.     

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.     

A numerical model for the prediction of the minimum ignition temperature of dust clouds

This paper presents a numerical model for the prediction of the minimum ignition temperature (MIT) of dust clouds. First, a physical model is developed for the dust cloud ignition in the Godbert-Greenwald furnace. A numerical approach is then applied for the MIT prediction based on the physical model. The model considers heat transfer between the air and dust particles, the dust particle reaction kinetics, and the residence times of dust clouds in the furnace. In general, for the 13 dusts studied, the calculated MIT data are in agreement with the experimental values. There is also great accordance between the experimental and numerical MIT variation trends against particle size. Two different ignition modes are discovered. The first one consists in ignition near the furnace wall for bigger particles characterized by rather short residence times. In the second mode, the ignition starts from the center of the furnace by self-heating of the dust cloud for smaller particles with longer residence times. For magnesium, as dust concentration increases, the lowest ignition temperature of the dust cloud IT(conc) decreases first, then transits to increase at a certain point. The transition happens at different dust concentrations for different particle sizes. Moreover, the MIT of the magnesium dust cloud generally increases as particle size increases, but the increasing trend stagnates within a certain medium particle size range.     

Ignitability characteristics of aluminium and magnesium dusts that are generated during the shredding of post-consumer wastes

The authors investigated the ignitability of aluminium and magnesium dusts that are generated during the shredding of post-consumer waste. The relations between particle size and the minimum explosive concentration, the minimum ignition energy, the ignition temperature of the dust clouds, etc. the relation between of oxygen concentration and dust explosion, the effect of inert substances on dust explosion, etc. were studied experimentally.

The minimum explosive concentration increased exponentially with particle size. The minimum explosive concentrations of the sample dusts were about 170 g/m³ (aluminium: 0–8 μm) and 90 g/m³ (magnesium: 0–20 μm). The minimum ignition energy tended to increase with particle size. It was about 6 mJ for the aluminium samples and 4 mJ for the magnesium samples. The ignition temperature of dust clouds was about 750 °C for aluminium and about 520 °C for magnesium. The lowest concentrations of oxygen to produce a dust explosion were about 10% for aluminium and about 8% for magnesium. A large mixing ratio (more than about 50%) of calcium oxide or calcium carbonate was necessary to decrease the explosibility of magnesium dust. The experimental data obtained in the present investigation will be useful for evaluating the explosibility of aluminium and magnesium dusts generated in metal recycling operations and thus for enhancing the safety of recycling plants.     

碳酸盐对密闭空间粉尘爆炸压力影响的试验研究

为了预防和缓解工业粉尘爆炸并研究惰性粉尘对粉尘爆炸的惰化作用,在Siwek 20 L球形爆炸装置内,针对高爆镁粉和高灰分煤粉,选用碳酸钙(CaCO3)、碳酸氢钠(NaHCO3)、碳酸氢钾(KHCO3)等3种碳酸盐作为惰化剂,讨论惰化剂浓度、粒径及点火能量对最大爆炸压力的影响。结果表明,惰化剂粒径越小,浓度越高,对粉尘爆炸的惰化作用越强;粉尘爆炸的净升压与点火能量无关,点火头主要起引燃作用;当惰化剂浓度递增至60%时以上,粉尘爆炸压力急剧下降,直至不爆。此外,CaCO3的抑制效果明显优于NaHCO3、KHCO3,故推荐采用CaCO3来控制粉尘爆炸风险。     

热颗粒和热辐射共同作用阴燃点燃松针燃料床：数值研究

建立了热颗粒和热辐射共同作用下阴燃点燃松针燃料床的二维数值模型,计算得到了热颗粒和热辐射单独点燃以及共同作用点燃的临界条件,分析了燃料床的点燃过程。与前人实验数据对比表明数值模型能够较好预测临界点燃条件。金属热颗粒单独作用时点火所需的临界温度与颗粒直径呈双曲线关系。金属热颗粒与热辐射共同作用时,临界辐射热通量呈现出随颗粒温度和直径的增加而显著减小的趋势。热辐射持续供热能有效维持表层炭氧化反应,两者共同作用下点燃危险性增加。研究同时发现,燃料含水率对共同作用下的临界辐射热通量有较大影响。     

Minimum ignition energies of pure magnesium powders due to electrostatic discharges and nitrogen's effect

This paper experimentally investigated the relation between the minimum ignition energy (MIE) of magnesium powders as well as the effect of inert nitrogen (N₂) on the MIE. The modified Hartmann vertical-tube apparatus and four kinds of different-sized pure magnesium powders (median particle size, D50; 28.1 μm–89.8 μm) were used in this study. The MIE of the most sensitive magnesium powder was 4 mJ, which was affected by the powder particle size (D50; 28.1 μm). The MIE of magnesium powder increased with an increase in the N₂ concentration for the inerting technique. The magnesium dust explosion with an electrostatic discharge of 1000 mJ was suppressed completely at an N₂ concentration range of more than 98%. The experimental data presented in this paper will be useful for preventing magnesium dust explosions generated from electrostatic discharges.     

Numerical modelling of dust-layered detonation structure in a narrow tube

The problems of lifting and dispersing of a dust layer behind the propagating shock wave as well as ignition, combustion of coal particles and dust-layered detonation formation in a tube are numerically investigated. The layered detonation is formed at large distance from the place of the primary shock wave initiation (～100 diameters of the tube). The strong oblique transverse shocks caused by combustion zone were discovered. The acceleration of leading shock wave and dust-layered detonation formation are connected with increasing and intensification of combustion zone which strongly depends on arising system of the oblique waves due to the development of the dust layer instabilities and vice versa. In the applied model, the moving medium is treated as a two-phase, two-velocity and two-temperature continuum with mechanical and thermal interphase interaction. The numerical procedure is based on the finite-volume approach and is implemented for parallel computing. The results obtained are of interest for applications in predictive modelling of accidents in industrial systems with reactive dust.     

速生杨木粉尘最小点火能的实验研究

为防止木材加工中木质粉尘燃爆事故的发生,以纤维板生产中常见的原材料速生杨木粉尘作为研究对象,在分析粉尘粒径分布、元素分析、工业分析及形貌特征的基础上,采用1.2 L哈特曼管对3种不同粒径（0~50,＞50~96,＞96~180 μm）速生杨木粉尘进行最小点火能实验,探究点火延迟时间、喷粉压力、质量浓度和粒径分布对速生杨木粉尘最小点火能的影响及变化规律。研究结果表明:在质量浓度为500 g/m3时,分别增加点火延迟时间和喷粉压力,最小点火能都先减小后增大;最佳点火延迟时间和最佳喷粉压力分别为120 ms和120 kPa;粒径对最佳点火延迟时间和最佳喷粉压力无显著影响。在点火延迟和喷粉压力分别为120 ms和120 kPa条件下,最小点火能随质量浓度的增加先减小后增大。粉尘粒径与最小点火能呈正相关性,3种样品的最小点火能分别为1~3,1~3和7~13 mJ,对应的敏感质量浓度分别为500 ,750和1 250 g/m3,属于特别着火敏感性粉尘。     

Risk assessment method of polyethylene dust explosion based on explosion parameters

The explosion characteristic parameters of polyethylene dust were systematically investigated. The variations in the maximum explosion pressure (P_max), explosion index (K_st), minimum ignition energy (MIE), minimum ignition temperature (MIT), and minimum explosion concentration (MEC) of dust samples with different particle sizes were obtained. Using experimental data, a two-dimensional matrix analysis method was applied to classify the dust explosion severity based on P_max and K_st. Then, a three-dimensional matrix was used to categorize the dust explosion sensitivity based on three factors: MIE, MIT, and MEC. Finally, a two-dimensional matrix model of dust explosion risk assessment was established considering the severity and sensitivity. The model was used to evaluate the explosion risk of polyethylene dust samples with different particle sizes. It was found that the risk level of dust explosion increased with decreasing particle size, which was consistent with the actual results. The risk assessment method can provide a scientific basis for dust explosion prevention in the production of polyethylene.     

飞火和热辐射耦合作用点燃松针的实验研究

飞火颗粒点燃和火焰辐射引燃是森林-城镇交界域火灾两种主要引燃方式。已有很多研究关注单种引燃方式,但缺乏二者耦合作用下的引燃机理研究。实验研究了热颗粒与热辐射耦合作用下松针燃料床的点燃行为,分析了热颗粒尺寸、温度及辐射热通量对点燃特性的影响。实验结果表明:热颗粒和热辐射耦合作用的点燃危险性远远高于热颗粒或者热辐射单独作用下的点燃危险性。耦合作用时,点燃概率随颗粒尺寸、温度和辐射热通量增大而增大,热颗粒临界点燃温度以及临界辐射热通量均随热颗粒尺寸增大而降低;阴燃向明火转变的点燃时间随辐射热通量增大而降低,但与颗粒状态呈现出较为复杂的关系。     

基于响应面法的木粉尘最大爆炸压力试验研究——以桑木粉尘为例

为研究粉尘质量浓度、粒径和点火延迟时间对木粉尘最大爆炸压力影响,以桑木粉尘为对象,利用1.2 L的Hartmann管进行试验。研究结果表明:最大爆炸压力随着粉尘质量浓度的增加先增大后减小,随着粉尘粒径的增大而减小,随着点火延迟时间的增大而增大。在单因素试验基础上,运用Design-Expert软件对Box-Behnken所设计的响应面试验方案分析,得到影响粉尘最大爆炸压力大小顺序为:点火延迟时间>质量浓度>粒径,同时Design-Expert软件预测出最危险爆炸强度的试验条件为:质量浓度840.24 g/m3,粒径260目,点火延迟时间12 s,最大爆炸压力为0.511 775 MPa,经检验,拟合性较好,为防爆设备本质安全强度设计提供了一定的参考价值。     

Initiation of strong reactive shocks and detonation by traveling ignition pulses

Experimental studies of detonation initiation by external stimulation of exothermic reactions closely behind a propagating shock wave (SW) are reported. Gaseous and heterogeneous fuel–air mixtures have been studied. Spatially distributed electric dischargers with properly tuned triggering times are shown to provide very short distances for shock-to-detonation transition in smooth-walled tubes. The energy of each individual discharger was shown to be smaller than the critical energy required for direct detonation initiation by a single discharger. The total energy of the dischargers appeared to be lower than the critical energy of direct detonation initiation. Available experiments with deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) in tubes with regular or irregular obstacles are also treated as detonation initiation by a traveling ignition source. In this case, instead of external stimulation of chemical activity, the localized obstacle-induced autoignition of shock-compressed gas occurs which can be closely coupled with the propagating SW. Two possible DDT scenarios are identified, namely, ‘fast’ and ‘slow’ DDT. In case the ignition timing at obstacles is closely coupled with the SW, favorable conditions for ‘fast’ DDT can occur. Otherwise, the SW decouples from the ignition pulses and ‘slow’ DDT can occur at a later stage due to cumulating of flame-induced pressure waves and ‘explosion in the explosion’ phenomenon.     

Parametric study of the explosivity of graphite-metals mixtures

The explosivity of dust clouds is greatly influenced by several parameters which depend on the operating conditions, such as the initial turbulence, temperature or ignition energy, but obviously also on the materials composition. In the peculiar case of a mixture of two combustible powders, the physical and chemical properties of both dusts have an impact on the cloud flammability and on its explosivity. Nevertheless, no satisfactory ‘mixing laws’ predicting the mixture behavior are currently available and the composition variable to be considered for such models greatly depend on the safety parameters which have to be determined: from volume ratios for some thermal exchanges and ignition phenomena, to surface proportions for some heterogeneous reactions and molar contents for chemical reactions. This study is mainly focused on graphite/magnesium mixtures as they are encountered during the decommissioning activities of UNGG reactors (Natural Uranium Graphite Gas). Due to the different nature and reactivity of both powders, these mixtures offer a wide range of interests. Firstly, the rate-limiting steps for the combustion of graphite are distinct from those of metals (oxygen diffusion or metal vaporization). Secondly, the flame can be thickened by the presence of radiation during metal combustion, whereas this phenomenon is negligible for pure graphite. Finally, the turbulence of the initial dust cloud is modified by the addition of a second powder. In order to assess the explosivity of graphite/magnesium clouds, a parametric study of the effects of storage humidity, particle size distribution, ignition energy, and initial turbulence has been carried out. In particular, it was clearly demonstrated that the turbulence significantly influences the explosion severity by speeding up the rate of heat release on the one hand and the oxygen diffusion through the boundary layer surrounding particles on the other hand. Moreover, it modifies the mean particle size and the spatial dust distribution in the test vessel, impacting the uniformity of the dust cloud. Thus, the present work demonstrates that the procedures developed for standard tests are not sufficient to assess the dust explosivity in industrial conditions and that an extensive parametric study is relevant to figure out the explosive behavior of solid/solid mixtures subjected to variations of operating conditions.     

Effect of transient heat transfer on ignition of solid particles

Ignition and combustion of solid particles are the issues of interest for many industrial applications. When simulating ignition and combustion of solid particles using available standard (ST) models, a number of simplifying assumptions are usually adopted, which are not always justified. For example, for calculating heat flux to particle surface, the Newton law is often applied with the heat flux proportional to the difference between the gas temperature and the mean particle temperature. However, Newton law is known to be valid only for steady-state heat transfer. Moreover, the actual heat flux is determined by the particle surface temperature rather than its mean temperature. The objective of this work is to develop a new particle-heating model with the correction factors to the Newton law taking into account transient heat transfer to a particle and nonuniform temperature distribution inside the particle. It was shown that the new particle-heating model correlates much better with detailed numerical calculations than the ST model. The transient heating effects were shown to be important for the problem of solid particle ignition in the oxidizer gas.     

三环唑粉尘爆炸特性研究

利用激光粒度仪对三环唑粉尘的粒径分布进行分析,并用20 L爆炸球测试装置、哈特曼管装置探讨了粉尘质量浓度、点火延迟时间、点火能量、粒径分布对粉尘爆炸的影响并总结了相关规律。实验结果表明:粉尘粒度是影响粉尘最小点火能和爆炸下限的单调因素,粉尘质量浓度是影响粉尘爆炸压力的极值因素,点火延迟时间是影响粉尘最小点火能的极值因素。     

Dust ignition of pure and encapsulated paraffin phase change materials

In this study, the dependence of the flammable concentration on particle size is investigated for Phase Change Material (PCM) and Encapsulated Phase Change Material (EPCM) particles using a novel continuous particle dispersion apparatus into which a propane flame is introduced creating a test akin to the flash-point test for liquids. The results show that the threshold concentration is a strong function of particle size. For tested particles with size ranging from 290 μm to 750 μm, the threshold concentration is above the predictions based on an instantaneous heat transfer limit, and is approximately linear with the particle size, following a heat transfer limited ignition model. For sizes above ≈1 mm, the particles behave like the bulk material, and ignition is not observed for the concentrations tested. The results obtained here are important for the safe construction, handling, and operation of systems using PCM and other particles.     

Explosion characteristics of micron- and nano-size magnesium powders

Explosion characteristics of micron- and nano-size magnesium powders were determined using CSIR-CBRI 20-L Sphere, Hartmann apparatus and Godbert-Greenwald furnace to study influence of particle size reduction to nano-range on these. The explosion parameters investigated are: maximum explosion pressure (P_max), maximum rate of pressure-rise (dP/dt)_max, dust explosibility index (K_St), minimum explosible concentration (MEC), minimum ignition energy (MIE), minimum ignition temperature (MIT), limiting oxygen concentration (LOC) and effect of reduced oxygen level on explosion severity. Magnesium particle sizes are: 125, 74, 38, 22, 10 and 1 μm; and 400, 200, 150, 100, 50 and 30 nm. Experimental results indicate significant increase in explosion severity (P_max: 7–14 bar, K_St: 98–510 bar·m/s) as particle size decreases from 125 to 1 μm, it is maximum for 400 nm (P_max: 14.6 bar, K_St: 528 bar·m/s) and decreases with further decrease of particle size to nano-range 200–30 nm (P_max: 12.4–9.4 bar, K_St: 460–262 bar·m/s) as it is affected by agglomeration of nano-particles. MEC decreases from 160 to 30 g/m³ on decreasing particle size from 125 to 1 μm, its value is 30 g/m³ for 400 and 200 nm and 20 g/m³ for further decrease in nano-range (150–30 nm). MIE reduces from 120 to 2 mJ on decreasing the particle size from 125 to 1 μm, its value is 1 mJ for 400, 200, 150 nm size and <1 mJ for 50 and 30 nm. Minimum ignition temperature is 600 °C for 125 μm magnesium, it varies between 570 and 450 °C for sizes 38–1 μm and 400–350 °C for size range 400–30 nm. Magnesium powders in nano-range (30–200 nm) explode less violently than micron-range powder. However, likelihood of explosion increases significantly for nano-range magnesium. LOC is 5% for magnesium size range 125–38 μm, 4% for 22–1 μm, 3% for 400 nm, 4% for 200, 150 and 100 nm, and 5% for 50 and 30 nm. Reduction in oxygen levels to 9% results in decrease in P_max and K_St by a factor of 2–3 and 4–5, respectively, for micron as well as nano-sizes. The experimental data presented will be useful for industries producing or handling similar size range micron- and nano-magnesium in order to evaluate explosibility of their magnesium powders and propose/design adequate safety measures.     

20L近球形容器中甲醇喷雾液滴爆炸特性实验研究*

为了评估易燃液体喷雾的爆炸风险,借助喷雾粒度仪、高速相机以及喷雾爆炸实验系统,围绕2种粒径(表面积平均粒径:2.0 μm±0.5 μm;18.0 μm±0.5 μm)的甲醇喷雾,研究点火位置和延迟时间等因素对甲醇喷雾爆炸特性的影响。结果表明:甲醇喷雾粒径均随环境温度的增加而减小,当甲醇喷雾浓度较大时,环境温度对于甲醇喷雾粒径的影响更为显著;甲醇物料温度的改变对于其粒径的影响很小。随着点火延迟时间的增大,甲醇喷雾爆炸特性参数均呈现先增加后减小的趋势,在τ=120 ms时最大。受限空间内甲醇喷雾采用中心或上部点火方式,当甲醇喷雾浓度为356.4 g/m3(φ=1.8)时,甲醇喷雾爆炸特性参数均取得最大值;与上部位置点火相比,中心位置点火的甲醇喷雾爆炸特性参数值较大。     

湍流对粉尘云电火花点火过程的影响

随着现代工业的发展,粉尘爆炸事故发生的频率也逐年增加,因此,对粉尘云点火敏感程度进行测量和计算就变得十分重要。粉尘云最小点火能是粉尘爆炸重要的特性参数之一,是采取粉尘爆炸防护的基础。最小点火能在测量的过程中受到多个敏感条件的影响,其中湍流则是最复杂的影响因素之一。文中对实验过程中粉尘云的湍流进行了定义,并分析了湍流对粉尘云最小点火能影响的内在原因;同时对通过数值模拟计算粉尘云最小点火能过程中的湍流计算给出了数学模型。从实验和数学模型两个方向对湍流进行了全面描述,对粉尘云电火花点火过程中湍流影响的分析结论,可有效的指导实验。