不同形状受限空间内油气爆燃特性的实验研究

基于实验对4个不同形状的20L容器内的油气爆燃过程进行了研究,探讨了不同形状受限空间内爆炸压力荷载的变化和火焰行为的区别。结果表明:管道（短管和长管）的压力时序曲线较容积式受限空间（球形容器和立方体容器）的压力时序曲线更复杂,并且出现压力振荡;随着初始浓度的增加,超压值和平均升压速率均先增大后减小,在浓度为1.74%时达到最大值,此时,超压从大到小依次为:长管>短管>立方体>球形容器,平均升压速率从大到小依次为:短管>立方体>长管>球形容器;在爆燃初期,立方体中火焰行为为半球状层流火焰→扁平层流火焰,火焰速度先增大后减小,最大速度为12.5 m/s,长管中火焰行为为半球状层流火焰→拉伸指状火焰,火焰速度一直增大,最大速度为40 m/s。     

Distinction between the upper explosion limit and the lower cool flame limit in determination of flammability limit at elevated conditions

Previous research showed that at certain conditions, close to the flammability range exists a regime where cool flame may develop either due to elevated temperature or it may be initiated by an ignition source. Propagation of the cool flame in a closed test vessel may double the initial pressure. Such pressure increase exceeds recommended ignition criteria for explosion limit determination that are based on 5 or 7% of pressure rise leading to inaccurate classification of the oxidation phenomena, i.e. cool flame propagation may be classified as hot flame propagation.Two mixtures were tested: n-butane-oxygen (extensively) and C1–C2–oxygen (in limited range), which represent a typical composition in ethylene oxide production, at elevated conditions at their upper explosion limits. Flame development was analysed by flame emission spectroscopy and the post-oxidation mixture was analysed by gas chromatography (GC) to characterise the oxidation mechanism of the flame. Additionally explosion pressure rise, flame temperature, and maximum rate of pressure rise were measured. In all experiments with the pressure rise ratio below two the low temperature oxidation mechanism assisted the flame propagation.     

Decomposing detonation and deflagration properties of ozone/oxygen mixtures

In this study, the decomposing detonation and deflagration properties of ozone/oxygen mixtures of up to 20 vol.% of ozone in oxygen under high pressure of up to 1.0 MPa in a tube were experimentally investigated. The mixtures were ignited by an electric spark at the end of the tube. Flame propagation properties such as flame velocity and pressure were measured with thermocouples and piezo electric transducers mounted along the tube. Slow and constant flame propagation profiles were obtained. We also investigated the quenching ability of a wire gauze as well as the concentration limit for flame propagation. However, in spite of slow flame propagation velocity and easy flame quenching properties under these experimental conditions, direct initiation of detonation by the driver detonation of the stoichiometric oxy-hydrogen mixture was easily achieved at much lower concentrations than the limit of deflagration. The observed detonation properties, such as wave velocity and pressure, agreed fairly well with C–J calculated values. The detonation velocity (900–1200 m/s) and the pressure ratio to initial pressures (5–9.5) were not affected by the initial pressure of the mixtures. Near the detonation limit, typical spinning detonations with oscillatory pressure waves were observed.     

Vent Sizing Criteria for Partial Volume Deflagration

The accidental spill of volatile solvents or the release of flammable gases within equipment and buildings is likely to form fuel concentration gradients unless efficient mixing is provided. As a consequence, even small amounts of fuel can form flammable clouds, and partial volume deflagrations may occur. Nevertheless, few indications are given in international guidelines for vent sizing and only over-conservative well-mixed stoichiometric assumptions are used. In this paper, we propose a predictive methodology for the evaluation of the dynamics of partial volume deflagration, aiming at defining useful correlations for the design of vent devices, starting from the fundamental equation for the rate of pressure rise and flame propagation in closed vessel. We define a ‘stratified gas deflagration index’ K_G(m), where m is the filling ratio, and use it with the most common design equations for vent sizing. The approach has been validated by means of a CFD code for the simulation of stratified laminar methane–air explosion by varying both filling ratio and volume.     

Experimental study on vented gas explosion in a cylindrical vessel with a vent duct

A study of vented explosions in a length over diameter (L/D) of 2 in cylindrical vessel connecting with a vent duct (L/D = 7) is reported. The influence of vent burst pressure and ignition locations on the maximum overpressure and flame speeds at constant vent coefficient, K of 16.4 were investigated to elucidate how these parameters affect the severity of a vented explosion. Propane and methane/air mixtures were studied with equivalence ratio, Φ ranges from 0.8 to 1.6. It is demonstrated that end ignition exhibited higher maximum overpressures and flame speeds in comparison to central ignition, contrary to what is reported in literature. There was a large acceleration of the flame toward the duct due to the development of cellular flames and end ignition demonstrated to have higher flame speeds prior to entry into the vent due to the larger flame distance. The higher vent flow velocities and subsequent flame speeds were responsible for the higher overpressures obtained. Rich mixtures for propane/air mixtures at Φ = 1.35 had the greatest flame acceleration and the highest overpressures. In addition, the results showed that Bartknecht's gas explosion venting correlation is grossly overestimated the overpressure for K = 16.4 and thus, misleading the impact of the vent burst pressure.     

Effects of hydrogen addition on the confined and vented explosion behavior of methane in air

Multi-component gas mixture explosion accidents occur and recur frequently, while the safety issues of multi-component gas mixture explosion for hydrogen–methane mixtures have rarely been addressed.Numerical simulation study on the confined and vented explosion characteristics of methane-hydrogen mixture in stoichiometric air was conducted both in the 5 L vessel and the 64 m³ chamber, involving different mixture compositions and initial pressures. Based on the results and analysis, it is shown that the addition of hydrogen has a negative effect on the explosion pressure of methane-hydrogen mixture at adiabatic condition. While in the vented explosion, the addition of the hydrogen has a significant positive effect on the explosion hazard degree. Additionally, the addition of hydrogen can induce a faster reactivity and enhance the sensitivity of the mixture by reducing the explosion time and increasing the rate of pressure rise both in confined and vented explosion. Both the maximum pressure and the maximum rate of pressure rise increase with initial pressure as a linear function, and also rise with the increase of hydrogen content in fuel. The increase in the maximum rate of pressure rise is slight when hydrogen ratio is lower than 0.5, however, it become significant when hydrogen ratio is higher than 0.5. The maximum rate of pressure rise for stoichiometric hydrogen-air is about 10 times the one of stoichiometric methane-air.Furthermore, the vent plays an important role to relief pressure, causing the decrease in explosion pressure and rate of pressure rise, while it can greatly enhance the flame speed, which will extend the hazard range and induce secondary fire damages. Additionally it appears that the addition of hydrogen has a significant increasing effect on the flame speed. The propagation of flame speed in confined explosion can be divided into two stages, increase stage and decrease stage, higher hydrogen content, higher slope. But in the vented explosion, the flame speed keeps increasing with the distance from the ignition point.     

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.     

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.     

Comparative assessment of the explosion characteristics of alcohol–air mixtures

Explosion characteristics of five alcohol–air (ethanol, 1-butanol, 1-pentanol, 2-pentanol and 3-pentanol) mixtures were experimentally conducted in an isochoric chamber over wide ranges of initial temperature and pressure. The effect of temperature and pressure on the different explosion behaviors among these alcohols with various structures were investigated. Results show that the peak explosion pressure is increased with the decrease of temperature and increase of pressure. Maximum rate of pressure rise is insensitive to the temperature variation while it significantly increases with the increase of initial pressure. Among the 1-, 2-, and 3-pentanol–air mixtures, 1-pentanol has the highest values in peak explosion pressure and maximum rate of pressure rise and 2-pentanol gives the lowest values at the initial pressure of 0.1 MPa. These differences tend to be decreased with the increase of initial pressure. Among the three primary alcohol–air (ethanol, 1-butanol and 1-pentanol) mixtures, a similar explosion behavior is presented at the lean mixture side because of the combined effect of adiabtic temperature and flame propagation speed. At the rich mixture side, 1-pentanol gives the highest values in peak explosion pressure and maximum rate of pressure rise and ethanol gives the lowest values. This phenomenon can be interpretated from the combining influence of heat release and heat loss, since the flame speeds of ethanol-, 1-butanol-, 1-pentanol–air mixtures are close at rich mixture side.     

Combined effects of initial pressure and turbulence on explosions of hydrogen-enriched methane/air mixtures

Hydrogen-enrichment has been proposed as a useful method to overcome drawbacks (local flame extinction, combustion instabilities, lower power output, etc.) associated to turbulent premixed combustion of natural gas in both stationary and mobile systems. For the safe use of hydrogen-enriched hydrocarbon fuels, explosion data are needed.In this work, a comparative experimental study of the explosion behavior of stoichiometric hydrogen-enriched methane/air (with 10% of hydrogen molar content in the fuel) and pure methane/air mixtures is presented. Tests were carried out in a 5 l closed cylindrical vessel at different initial pressures (1, 3 and 6 bar), and starting from both quiescent and turbulent conditions.Results allow quantifying the combined effects of hydrogen substitution to methane, pressure and turbulence on maximum pressure, maximum rate of pressure rise, burning velocity and Markstein lengths.     

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.     

长径比对管道油气爆炸特性与火焰传播规律影响研究*

为了探究长径比对油气爆炸传播特性与火焰传播规律的影响,为复杂管道受限空间油气爆炸防控提供理论参考,结合油气爆炸与爆炸抑制工程实际需要,构建不同长径比管道油气爆炸模拟实验系统,在此基础上开展不同初始浓度的预混油气-空气混合气爆炸实验。研究结果表明:管道内部的预混油气爆炸超压信号呈先上升后下降的趋势,由于耗散以及憋压效应导致超压下降平稳后仍大于初始压力;同时长径比增加会导致达到最大爆炸超压的油气浓度增加,油气爆炸超压峰值随着长径比的增加呈现上升→下降→上升的规律,小长径比管道的油气爆炸超压峰值高于大长径比管道,但同为小长径比管道或大长径比管道工况的实验结果对比显示爆炸超压峰值随着长径比增加而提升;而超压上升速率则会随着长径比的增加而上升;长径比的增加同时也会促进火焰的加速传播并减小火焰持续时间。     

Experimental study on gas explosion and venting process in interconnected vessels

A pilot scale interconnected vessels experiment system was established, and the closed and vented gas explosion characteristics in the system were studied, using 10% methane–air mixture. Regularity of pressure variation in vessels and flame propagation in linked pipes was analyzed. Furthermore, the effects of transmission style, ignition position, pipe length, and initial pressure on explosion severity were discussed. For the closed explosion: explosion in interconnected vessels presents strongly destructive power to secondary vessel, especially transmission from the big vessel to the small one; the worst ignition position is shifting from ignition in the interconnected pipe to the walls of the two vessels; as far as ignition in big vessel is concerned, the peak pressure in secondary vessel increases with the pipe length much faster than that for ignition in small vessel; the peak pressures in two vessels are approximate linear functions of initial pressure. For the vented explosion: the transmission style and interconnected pipe length have significant impacts on the effect of venting on the protection; in order to obtain the better venting effect, the use of a divergent interconnected pipe from the big vessel to the small one in industry is advised and it is necessary to reduce the interconnected pipe length as far as possible or install flame arrester in the interconnected pipe.     

半密闭空间油气爆炸初期火焰特性研究

为了研究半密闭空间内部油气着火爆炸初期火焰特性,进行了不同油气体积分数下的油气着火爆炸实验,通过高速摄影等技术手段对爆炸过程中火焰形态进行了捕捉,分析了不同油气体积分数下爆炸初期火焰着火模式、火焰形态、传播过程和火焰浮力稳定性的变化规律。结果表明:油气体积分数为决定容器内部着火模式的关键因素,随着油气体积分数的逐渐增大,着火模式呈现出燃烧-爆炸-爆燃后持续燃烧的转变;爆炸下的火焰具有明显的分区现象,而其他的着火模式则没有;随着油气体积分数的增加,越靠近化学当量比,纵向和横向火焰阵面速度越大;油气体积分数小于等于1.1%或大于等于2.6%时,火焰稳定性受浮力影响显著。     

The role of turbulence in the validity of the cubic relationship

The effect of turbulence on unsteady premixed flame propagation and associated pressure rise during explosion of stoichiometric CH₄/air in closed spherical vessels of different size was investigated by means of CFD simulation. Computations were run by varying the vessel volume from 20 l to 200 l and to 1 m³.Numerical results have shown that, at fixed initial conditions, the turbulence kinetic energy induced by the propagating flame increases with increasing vessel volume. It has been demonstrated that the cubic relationship does not apply. Under the conditions investigated, a correction to the cubic relationship has been proposed to take into account the effect of the vessel volume on turbulence.     

Propagation of ethylene–air flames in closed cylindrical vessels with asymmetrical ignition

A study of explosions in several elongated cylindrical vessels with length to diameter L/D = 2.4–20.7 and ignition at vessel's bottom is reported. Ethylene–air mixtures with variable concentration between 3.0 and 10.0 vol% and pressures between 0.30 and 1.80 bara were experimentally investigated at ambient initial temperature. For the whole range of ethylene concentration, several characteristic stages of flame propagation were observed. The height and rate of pressure rise in these stages were found to depend on ethylene concentration, on volume and asymmetry ratio L/D of each vessel. High rates of pressure rise were found in the early stage; in later stages lower rates of pressure rise were observed due to the increase of heat losses. The peak explosion pressures and the maximum rates of pressure rise differ strongly from those measured in centrally ignited explosions, in all examined vessels. In elongated vessels, smooth p(t) records have been obtained for the explosions of lean C₂H₄–air mixtures. In stoichiometric and rich mixtures, pressure oscillations appear even at initial pressures below ambient, resulting in significant overpressures as compared to compact vessels. In the stoichiometric mixture, the frequency of the oscillations was close to the fundamental characteristic frequency of the tube.     

On the determination of the laminar burning velocity from closed vessel gas explosions

A methodology to determine the laminar burning velocity from closed vessel gas explosions is explored. Unlike other methods which have been used to measure burning velocities from closed vessel explosions, this approach belongs to the category which does not involve observation of a rapidly moving flame front. Only the pressure–time curve is required as experimental input. To verify the methodology, initially quiescent methane–air mixtures were ignited in a 20-l explosion sphere and the equivalence ratio was varied from 0.67 to 1.36. The behavior of the pressure in the vessel was measured as a function of time and two integral balance models, namely, the thin-flame and the three-zone model, were fitted to determine the laminar burning velocity. Data on the laminar burning velocity as a function of equivalence ratio, pressure and temperature, measured by a variety of other methods have been collected from the literature to enable a comparison. Empirical correlations for the effect of pressure and temperature on the laminar burning velocity have been reviewed and two were selected to be used in conjunction with the thin-flame model. For the three-zone model, a set of coupled correlations has been derived to describe the effect of pressure and temperature on the laminar burning velocity and the laminar flame thickness. Our laminar burning velocities are seen to fall within the band of data from the period 1953–2003. A comparison with recent data from the period 1994–2003 shows that our results are 5–10% higher than the laminar burning velocities which are currently believed to be the correct ones for methane–air mixtures. Based on this observation it is concluded that the methodology described in this work should only be used under circumstances where more accurate methods can not be applied.     

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.     

Investigations on explosion characteristics of ethyl acetate

In this study, the confined explosion characteristics of ethyl acetate were investigated in a constant volume explosion vessel using the initial pressure of 1–4 bar, the initial temperature of 358–418 K, and the equivalence ratio of 0.8–1.4. It was revealed that the peak explosion pressure and the maximum pressure rise rate of ethyl acetate increased as the initial pressure increased and the initial temperature decreased. The peak explosion pressure and maximum pressure rise rate were obtained at the equivalence ratio of 1.2 due to increased heat release rate. Furthermore, the explosion time decreased as the initial pressure decreased. In summation, EA experimental and theoretical deflagration index were investigated and compared. The experimental deflagration index showed that EA explosion was less dangerous, whereas the theoretical deflagration predicted that the explosion could be more hazardous.     

Explosibility of hydrogen–graphite dust hybrid mixtures

To evaluate the hazard of combined hydrogen/dust explosions under severe accident conditions in International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), standard method of 20-L-sphere was used to measure the explosion indices of 4-μm fine graphite dust in lean hydrogen/air mixtures. The mixtures were ignited by a weak electric spark. The tested fuel concentrations were 8–18 vol% H₂ and 25–250 g/m³ dust. If the hydrogen content is higher than 10 vol%, the dust constituent can be induced to explode by the hydrogen explosion initiated by a weak electric spark. Depending on the fuel component concentrations, the explosions proceed in either one or two stages. In two-stage explosions occurring at low hydrogen and dust concentrations, the mixture ignition initiates first a fast hydrogen explosion followed by a slower phase of the dust explosion. With increasing dust concentration, the dust explodes faster and can overlap the hydrogen-explosion stage. At higher hydrogen concentrations, the hybrid mixtures explode in one stage, with hydrogen and dust reacting at the same time scale. Maximum overpressures of hybrid explosions are higher than those observed with hydrogen alone; maximum rates of pressure rise are lower in two-phase explosions and, generally, higher in one-stage explosions, than those characteristic of the corresponding H₂/air mixtures.