Review of the DESC project

Dust Explosion Simulation Code (DESC) was a project supported by the European Commission under the Fifth Framework Programme. The main purpose of the project was to develop a simulation tool based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) that could predict the potential consequences of industrial dust explosions in complex geometries. Partners in the DESC consortium performed experimental work on a wide range of topics related to dust explosions, including dust lifting by flow or shock waves, flame propagation in vertical pipes, dispersion-induced turbulence and flame propagation in closed vessels, dust explosions in closed and vented interconnected vessel systems, and measurements in real process plants. The new CFD code DESC is based on the existing CFD code FLame ACceleration Simulator (FLACS) for gas explosions. The modelling approach adopted in the first version entails the extraction of combustion parameters from pressure–time histories measured in standardized 20-l explosion vessels. The present paper summarizes the main experimental results obtained during the DESC project, with a view to their relevance regarding dust explosion modelling, and describes the modelling of flow and combustion in the first version of the DESC code. Capabilities and limitations of the code are discussed, both in light of its ability to reproduce experimental results, and as a practical tool in the field of dust explosion safety.     

Solution adaptive CFD simulation of premixed flame propagation over various solid obstructions

This paper presents the results of a number of calculations carried out in order to simulate combustion past obstacles of different shape and blockage ratio. The obstacle shapes considered are circles, squares, triangles and flat plates. Two-dimensional simulations are carried out with the McNEWT code. The code solves the reacting flow field with a laminar flamelet model on an unstructured mesh. Adaptive mesh refinement is applied so that the flame front is accompanied by mesh refinement throughout the calculation domain. A transition from laminar to turbulent combustion induced by passage past the obstacle is seen in the simulations. Evidence for the transition is found in the change in flame shape, flame speed and pressure. The simulations are compared with experimental data and there is good agreement between experiment and simulation.     

Combustion modeling in large scale volumes using EUROPLEXUS code

Most of the numerical benchmarks on combustion in large scale volumes for hydrogen safety, which were performed up until today have demonstrated, that current numerical codes and physical models experience poor predictive capabilities at the industrial scale, both due to under-resolution and deficiencies in combustion modeling. This paper describes a validation of the EUROPLEXUS code against several large scale experimental data sets in order to improve its hydrogen combustion modeling capabilities in industrial settings (e.g. reactor buildings). The code is based on the Euler equations and employs an algorithm for the propagation of reactive interfaces, RDEM, which includes a combustion wave, as an integrable part of the Reactive Riemann problem, propagating with a fundamental flame speed (being a function of initial mixture properties as well as gas dynamics parameters). Validation of the first combustion model implemented in the code is based on obstacle-laden channels, interconnected reactor-type compartments, vented enclosures and covers all major premixed flame combustion regimes (slow, fast and detonation) with an aim to obtain conservative results. An improvement of this model is found in a direction of transient interaction of flame fronts with regions of elevated integral length scales presented in the velocity gradient field due to e.g. interactions with geometrical non-uniformities and pressure waves.     

一种改进的事故再现蒙特卡罗优化算法

为使事故再现结果更符合实际情况,对事故再现中的计算过程进行优化。基于蒙特卡罗方法和随机加权方法,提出一种改进的事故再现蒙特卡罗优化算法。该算法以二维碰撞模型和车辆轨迹模型为计算模型,选择碰撞点位置、碰撞前速度、法向恢复系数为优化参数,以实际车辆碰撞后运动轨迹离差最小为优化目标。分别用所提出的改进算法和Pc-Crash中的优化方法对一算例进行优化。结果表明,改进算法在准确度和稳定性等方面优于Pc-Crash中的方法。利用改进的事故再现蒙特卡罗优化算法,不仅能获得最优的事故再现结果,还能获得再现结果落在任意区间的概率。     

An experimental study of viscous flows in contractions

The need to improve the methods used when designing emergency, pressure-relief systems on polymerisation reactors, has made the flow of highly viscous fluids in pipeline fittings highly topical. This paper investigates the flow processes involved in single-phase, viscous flows in nozzles and orifice plates. These fittings were chosen because they would give an insight into the behaviour of highly viscous flows in other geometries, such as the flow upstream of the seat in a pressure relief valve. Experimental data are presented for a pipe, two conical nozzles and a sharp-edged orifice plate for laminar flows in the Reynolds number range 50–400 and for turbulent flows. The volume flow rate—pressure drop characteristics are presented for both nozzles and the orifice plate. The discharge momentum flow rate for the pipe, a nozzle and the orifice plate are also given. Analysis of the data shows that nozzles and orifice plates that are geometrically similar have a similar resistance to flow. It is also shown that the contraction coefficient for an orifice plate tends to unity at low Reynolds numbers.     

油罐喷射火燃烧模拟

针对由一定压力的单相或两相介质泄漏或压力泄放系统排放引起的喷射火,利用gambit生成计算区域网格,得到相应的计算模型.再利用Fluent软件中的离散相模型计算气体流动,采用Realizable k-epsilon湍流模型和部分预混燃烧模型来预测燃料的燃烧,模拟了戊烷燃料燃烧和湍动多相流场,给出了燃烧速度矢量、温度和组...     

Cornstarch explosion experiments and modeling in vessels ranged by height/diameter ratios

Height to diameter (H/D) ratio is one of the important parameters affecting premixed particle–air combustion characteristics. This paper focuses on the behavior of cornstarch combustion in closed vessels with changed H/D ratios and fixed volumes; and a combustion model is employed to simulate the experiments. An Eulerian–Lagrangian approach for two-phase flows was used in the model and conservation equations of unsteady turbulent two-phase reacting flows were solved in two-dimensional domains. Heat loss to the vessel walls was taken into consideration in the model. The simulation results have a good agreement with those of experiments. Further simulations were carried out for higher H/D ratios from 8 to 15. These results show that H/D=8 is a changing point. When H/D<8, the maximum pressure and the rate of maximum pressure rise decrease with increasing H/D ratios. While H/D>8, the both have an increasing tendency with increasing H/D ratios.     

不同孔隙率对采空区自燃的影响规律研究

为探究煤矿采空区在不同孔隙率条件下对煤自燃环境的影响,基于多孔介质渗流特性的相关理论,以煤矿综采工作面为原型建立了U型通风采空区三维模型和渗流数学模型,利用Fluent软件对采空区以不同的孔隙率大小和分布方式进行数值模拟计算,从而得到采空区的漏风和氧气浓度的分布状态,以及氧化带的位置变化情况,进而研究不同孔隙率对采空区煤自燃环境的影响规律。研究表明:采空区漏风主要源于工作面下隅角处,进入采空区的漏风量大小与采空区的孔隙率有关。孔隙率越大,靠近工作面的漏风流速越大,氧气浓度越高,而深入采空区,孔隙率大小对采空区漏风影响越小,氧化带随着孔隙率的增大不断向采空区深部移入;孔隙率分布方式对采空区漏风速度的影响较大,且距离工作面越近影响越大,采空区深部则差别不大。     

Simulation of dust explosions in complex geometries with experimental input from standardized tests

The present paper describes the development of a new CFD-code (DESC) for the assessment of accidental hazards arising from dust explosions in complex geometries. The approach followed entails the estimation of the laminar burning velocity of dust clouds from standardized laboratory-scale tests, and its subsequent use as input to the combustion model incorporated in DESC. The methodology used to obtain the laminar burning velocities is demonstrated by igniting turbulent propane-air mixtures to deflagration in a standard 20-litre USBM-vessel, and extracting the laminar burning velocity from the pressure–time curves; the results are compared with literature data. Laminar burning velocities for clouds of maize starch dust in air were estimated following the same procedure, and the resulting empirical model was used to simulate dust explosions in a 236-m³ silo.     

Flame propagation through aluminum particle cloud in a combustion tube

The propagation of a flame is investigated experimentally and theoretically for a large, horizontal combustion tube containing a mixture of air and aluminum powder with pre-existing turbulence. One end of the tube is closed and the other is connected to a large dump-tank. Twenty dispersion systems are used on the tube to produce a uniform suspension of aluminum dust in the tube with a mean diameter of 6 μm. The characteristics of a flame front from the ignitors at the closed end are measured using photodiodes and the development of pressure is monitored by transducers. Experimental results revealed the entire process of an accelerating flame and the development of shock waves. A set of conservation equations for two-phase turbulent combustion flow is derived, using the two-fluid model, k–ε model, Hinze–Tchen model and EBU-Arrhenius model for turbulent combustion. The SIMPLE scheme usually applied to the homogeneous turbulent combustion is extended to fit this two-phase, reactive behavior. The results of calculations show the positive feedback coupling among combustion, expansion and turbulence during flame propagation. Computed and measured results are generally in good agreement.     

Development of collision risk indicators for autonomous subsea inspection maintenance and repair

The objective of this article is to present a method for developing collision risk indicators applicable for autonomous remotely operated vehicles (AROVs), which are essential for promoting situation awareness in decisions support systems. Three suitable risk based collision indicators are suggested for AROVs namely, time to collision, mean time to collision and mean impact energy. The proposed indicators are classified into different thresholds; low, intermediate and high. An AROV flight path is simulated to gather input data to calculate the proposed indicators and three collision targets are established, i.e., subsea structure, seabed and a cooperating AROV. The proposed indicator development method together with the case study show a proof-of-concept that the combination of mean time to collision and mean impact energy indicators can identify risk prone waypoints in the AROV path. The method results in an overall risk picture for a given AROV path. The results may provide useful input in replanning of mission paths and for implementation of risk reducing measures. Even though the method focuses on collision risk, it can be used for other accident scenarios for AROVs.     

风障联合压实防治煤堆自燃技术工艺参数优化

为提高煤堆自燃的防治效果,降低经济成本和提高施工的灵活性,基于煤堆自燃理论,使用COMSOLMultiphysics 5.0数值仿真软件,建立煤堆自燃模型,研究了煤堆最高温度和自然发火期变化及相关措施实施后最高温度降低规律,对比了单独压实、独立风障和风障联合压实的温度降低量,优化了联合措施的工艺。结果表明,煤堆孔隙率越小,自燃风速范围越宽,最小、最易、最大自燃风速越大;单独进行煤堆压实存在因孔隙率增加而降低的最低不宜风速;针对6 m高煤堆单独使用风障时,只有风障高12 m、距离煤堆25 m才能避免煤堆自燃;风障联合压实措施中,风障高7.5~9 m,设置距离煤堆10~30 m即能保证煤堆不自燃。说明联合的煤堆最高温度降低量更大,且能扩大压实的适用范围,降低风障高度,节约经济成本,增加风障现场施工的灵活性。     

风障联合压实防治煤堆自燃技术工艺参数优化

为提高煤堆自燃的防治效果,降低经济成本和提高施工的灵活性,基于煤堆自燃理论,使用COMSOLMultiphysics 5.0数值仿真软件,建立煤堆自燃模型,研究了煤堆最高温度和自然发火期变化及相关措施实施后最高温度降低规律,对比了单独压实、独立风障和风障联合压实的温度降低量,优化了联合措施的工艺。结果表明,煤堆孔隙率越小,自燃风速范围越宽,最小、最易、最大自燃风速越大;单独进行煤堆压实存在因孔隙率增加而降低的最低不宜风速;针对6 m高煤堆单独使用风障时,只有风障高12 m、距离煤堆25 m才能避免煤堆自燃;风障联合压实措施中,风障高7.5~9 m,设置距离煤堆10~30 m即能保证煤堆不自燃。说明联合的煤堆最高温度降低量更大,且能扩大压实的适用范围,降低风障高度,节约经济成本,增加风障现场施工的灵活性。     

基于MATLAB工具箱的开采煤层自燃危险性预测

正确预测开采煤层自燃发火的趋势与危险性,对煤矿安全生产具有重要的指导意义。煤层自燃发火的趋势和危险程度与其影响因素之间存在着复杂的非线性关系,而人工神经网络具有极强的非线性逼近能力,能真实刻画出输入变量与输出变量之间的非线性关系。为准确预测开采煤层自燃发火的危险性,笔者针对反向BP神经网络收敛差的缺点,分别采用基于MATLAB神经网络工具箱中的VLBP和LMBP算法的改进BP神经网络模型对开采煤层自燃的危险性进行了预测。根据开采煤层自燃的特点,选取煤本身自燃倾向性、煤层地质及赋存条件、通风技术条件3个关键影响因素作为开采煤层自燃危险性的评判指标,建立了开采煤层自燃危险性预测的神经网络模型。实际应用效果表明,采用基于MATLAB神经网络工具箱的BP网络模型,能克服一般BP网络收敛较慢的缺点,能加快收敛速度;运用LMBP算法比VLBP算法快,但需较大计算机内存;该模型收敛速度快,准确性高,是一种十分有效的开采煤层自燃危险性预测方法。     

Prediction of distance to maximum intensity of turbulence generated by grid plate obstacles in explosion-induced flows

The interaction of unburnt gas flow induced in an explosion with an obstacle results in the production of turbulence downstream of the obstacle and the acceleration of the flame when it reaches this turbulence. Currently, there are inadequate experimental measurements of these turbulent flows in gas explosions due to transient nature of explosion flows and the connected harsh conditions. Hence, majority of measurements of turbulent properties downstream of obstacles are done using steady-state flows rather than transient flows. Consequently, an empirical based correlation to predict distance to maximum intensity of turbulence downstream of an obstacle in an explosion-induced flow using the available steady state experiments was developed in this study. The correlation would serve as a prerequisite for determining an optimum spacing between obstacles thereby determining worst case gas explosions overpressure and flame speeds. Using a limited experimental work on systematic study of obstacle spacing, the correlation was validated against 13 different test conditions. A ratio of the optimum spacing from the experiment, x_exp to the predicted optimum spacing, x_pred for all the tests was between 2-4. This shows that a factor of three higher than the x_pred would be required to produce optimum obstacle spacing that will lead to maximum explosion severity. In planning the layout of new installations, it is appropriate to identify the relevant worst case obstacle separation in order to avoid it. In assessing the risk to existing installations and taking appropriate mitigation measures it is important to evaluate such risk on the basis of a clear understanding of the effects of separation distance and congestion. It is therefore suggested that the various new correlations obtained from this work be subjected to further rigorous validation from relevant experimental data prior to been applied as design tools.     

Comments on explosion problems for hydrogen safety

The future widespread use of hydrogen as an energy carrier brings in safety issues that have to be addressed before public acceptance can be achieved. The prediction of the consequences of a major accident release of hydrogen into the atmosphere or the contamination of high-pressure hydrogen storage facilities by air entrainment requires a good knowledge of the explosion parameters of hydrogen–air mixtures. The present paper reviews and comments on the current knowledge of dynamic parameters of hydrogen detonation for hazard assessment. The major problem that remains to be resolved involves the understanding of the effect of turbulence on the cellular detonation structure, the propagation of high-speed deflagrations and the transition from deflagration to detonations. It is recommended that future research should be aimed towards experiments that permit the quantitative understanding of the mechanisms of high-speed turbulent combustion rather towards large-scale tests in complex geometries where minimal quantitative information of fundamental significance could be extracted. In spite of its wide flammability and sensitivity to ignition and detonation initiation, it is felt that hydrogen can be produced, stored and handled safely with the appropriate considerations in the design of the hydrogen facilities.     

A constant pressure dust explosion experiment

A new apparatus has been designed for investigating flame propagation in turbulent dust clouds at near constant pressure conditions. The experimental approach is inspired by the classical soap bubble method for measuring burning velocities in gaseous mixtures. Combustible dust is dispersed with pressurised air to form an explosive mixture inside a transparent latex balloon. After a certain delay time, the turbulent dust cloud is ignited by a 40 J chemical igniter. A digital high-speed video camera records the propagating flame and the expansion of the balloon. Experiments were performed with two types of dust, Lycopódium spores and maize starch, as well as with propane–air mixtures under initially quiescent or turbulent conditions. Although the results are primarily qualitative in nature, they nevertheless demonstrate fundamental differences between premixed combustion of gaseous mixtures, and ‘premixed combustion with non-premixed substructures' in mechanical suspensions of solid particles dispersed in air. The discussion highlights some fundamental challenges for future dust explosion research.