A study on the obstacle-induced variation of the gas explosion characteristics

A study on the variation of the gas explosion characteristics caused by the built-in obstacles was conducted in enclosed/vented gas explosion vessels. It has been well known that the obstacles in pipes and long ducts would accelerate the flame propagation, and cause the transition from deflagration to detonation. In this study, the explosion characteristics and the flame behavior of vented explosions and constant-volume explosions were investigated. Experiments were carried out in a 270-liter and 36-liter hexahedron vessels filled with LPG–air mixture. The explosion characteristics of the gas mixture were determined by using a strain-responding pressure transducer. The flame behavior was recorded by using a high-speed video camera. The shape and the size of the obstacle, and the gas concentration, were adjusted in the experiments.

It can be seen from the experimental results that, instead of being accelerated, the flame propagation inside the explosion vessel is decelerated by the plate obstacles fixed at the bottom of the vessel. Also, the characteristics of the enclosed explosion are not so affected by the built-in obstacles as those of the vented explosion are. It is believed that the eddy-induced turbulence behind the obstacle decelerates the flame propagation.     

Experimental study on the feasibility of explosion suppression by vacuum chambers

In view of the invalidity of suppression and isolation apparatus for gas explosion, a closed vacuum chamber structure for explosion suppression with a fragile plane was designed on the base of the suction of vacuum. Using methane as combustible gas, a series of experiments on gas explosion were carried out to check the feasibility of the vacuum chamber suppressing explosion by changing methane concentration and geometric structure of the vacuum chamber. When the vacuum chamber was not connected to the tunnel, detonation would happen in the tunnel at methane volume fraction from 9.3% to 11.5%, with flame propagation velocity exceeding 2000 m/s, maximum peak value overpressure reaching 0.7 MPa, and specific impulse of shock wave running up to 20 kPa s. When the vacuum chamber with 5/34 of the tunnel volume was connected to the flank of the tunnel, gas explosion of the same concentration would greatly weaken with flame propagation velocity declining to about 200 m/s, the quenching distance decreasing to 3/4 of the tunnel length, maximum peak value overpressure running down to 0.1-0.15 MPa and specific impulse of shock wave below 0.9 kPa s. The closer the position accessed to the ignition end, the greater explosion intensity weakened. There was no significant difference between larger section and smaller vacuum chambers in degree of maximum peak value overpressure and specific impulse declining, except that quenching fire effect of the former was superior to the latter. The distance of fire quenching could be improved by increasing the number of the vacuum chambers.     

Numerical analysis of gas explosion inside two rooms connected by ducts

Simulations of gas explosion of hydrogen/air mixture inside two rooms connected by ducts are carried out. Scalar transport chemical reaction model and LES turbulence model are utilized to reduce the calculation load and to conduct real-scale analysis. The effects of ignition source locations and volume of ignited room are analyzed, and the time history of pressure and rate of pressure rise in each room are focused in this study. When the volume of the ignited room is larger than the other room, the high pressure from the other room causes a force to act on the partition to the ignited room. This study indicates that the current technique can predict specific features of gas explosions inside two rooms connected by the ducts.     

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.     

Coupling effects of foam ceramics on the flame and shock wave of gas explosion

The coupling of gas explosion flame and shock wave is analyzed. In the gas explosion process, shock wave is affected by the flame directly, and shock wave also induces the flame. Inhibiting explosion can be achieved by the interference between the flame and shock wave propagation. If the coupling effects can be damaged, the adverse effects caused by the explosion should be mitigated and controlled. According to the structure characteristics of foam ceramics, the coupling effects mechanism of ceramic foam on gas explosion flame and shock wave is researched. When the explosion goes through the structure of foam ceramics, the flame can be quenched and the shock wave be attenuated. After the flame is quenched, the supply of precursor shock wave energy is cut off. Due to lack of energy supply, the destructive effects of blast wave will be reduced effectively. Coupling effects of the flame and shock wave can be damaged by the special structure of foam ceramics. Studies suggest that a certain function to represent the structure characteristics of foam ceramics must exist. For a certain material of foam ceramics, the sure porosity δ and the pore diameter d also can be get, which is the key to research and develop foam ceramic suppression technology of gas explosion.     

障碍物条件下纳米SiO2粉体抑制瓦斯爆炸特性

为了研究障碍物条件下纳米SiO_2粉体对瓦斯爆炸的抑制特性,采用自行搭建的150 mm×150 mm×500 mm可视化瓦斯爆炸试验系统,分别对不同质量浓度和粒径的纳米SiO_2粉体抑爆特性进行了试验研究。结果表明:在障碍物条件下,纳米SiO_2粉体对瓦斯爆炸具有良好的抑制效果,0.10 g/L的30 nm SiO_2粉体可使9.5%瓦斯气体的最大火焰传播速度降低35%,爆炸超压降低34%;然而,纳米SiO_2粉体并非质量浓度越大抑爆效果越好,而是存在最佳抑爆质量浓度,即随纳米SiO_2粉体质量浓度上升,其抑爆性能先增大后减小,最佳抑爆质量浓度约为0.10 g/L;此外,纳米SiO_2粉体的抑爆性能与其粒径相关,且存在最佳抑爆粒径,相同质量浓度下30 nm SiO_2粉体比15nm和50 nm SiO_2粉体的抑爆效果好。     

Prediction of the relief of gas explosion in a tubular vessel by venting using a mathematical model

The relief of a gas explosion in a tubular vessel by venting can be predicted by using a mathematical model. In this model, the flame acceleration is represented by an increase in the burning velocity. The movement of a vent cover can be included. The model assumes that the vent is blocked by the vent cover prior to the explosion. the venting ratio was the most influential parameter in terms of relieving the pressure. In the case of a large venting ratio, the flame acceleration made a highly significant contribution, whereas for small venting ratios, the weight of the vent cover contributed to the relief more than the flame acceleration. When the pressure is required to be reduced significantly, the venting ratio, the vent open pressure and the weight of the vent cover must all be reduced.     

非燃烧区瓦斯爆炸冲击波在单向分岔管道内传播规律的试验研究

在空间上瓦斯爆炸可以分为瓦斯燃烧区、非瓦斯燃烧区两个区域.在瓦斯燃烧区内冲击波和火焰是相互耦合的;当瓦斯燃烧完毕后燃烧波消失,只剩非瓦斯燃烧区冲击波,冲击波失去能量支持,最终恢复至正常大气参数.为了研究非燃烧区内瓦斯爆炸冲击波在分岔管道中的传播特性,搭建了截面为80 mm× 80 mm的方形管道,分别由1 m、1.5m、2.5 m、3m、4m等5种长度不等的管道组合而成.管道由3个部分组成,前端为直管道瓦斯填充区,中间管道为空气直管道和管道末端,末端设计了30°、45°、60°、90°四种单向分岔角度.通过瓦斯填充量和管道分岔角度两个变量,采用TST6300动态数据采集储存仪,对管道内瓦斯爆炸冲击波能量及冲击波在单向分岔情况下超压分流情况进行试验研究.结果表明,管道单向分岔条件下,非燃烧区瓦斯爆炸冲击波分流系数与冲击波初始超压及管道分岔角度有关,分流系数随冲击波初始超压及分岔角度的增加而增加.