The explosion overpressure field and flame propagation of methane/air and methane/coal dust/air mixtures

The explosion of the methane/air mixture and the methane/coal dust/air mixture under 40 J center spark ignition condition was experimentally studied in a large-scale system of 10 m³ vessel. Five pressure sensors were arranged in space with different distances from the ignition point. A high-speed camera system was used to record the growth of the flame. The maximum overpressure of the methane/air mixture appeared at 0.75 m away from the ignition point; the thickness of the flame was about 10 mm and the propagation speed of the flame fluctuated around 2.5 m/s with the methane concentration of 9.5%. The maximum overpressure of the methane/coal dust/air mixture appeared at 0.5 m. The flame had a structure of three concentric zones from outside were the red zone, the yellow illuminating zone and the bright white illuminating zone respectively; the thickness and the propagation speed of the flame increased gradually, the thickness of red zone and yellow illuminating zone reached 3.5 cm and 1 cm, the speed reached 9.2 m/s at 28 ms.     

Influence of ignition position and obstacles on explosion development in methane–air mixture in closed vessels

The paper outlines an experimental study of influence of the ignition position and obstacles on explosion development in premixed methane–air mixtures in an elongated explosion vessel. As the explosion vessel, 1325 mm length tube with 128.5 mm diameter was used. Location of the ignition was changeable, i.e., fitted in the centre or at one of ends of the tube, when the tube was in a horizontal position. When it was in a vertical position, three locations of the ignition (bottom, centre and top) were used. In the performed study, the influence of obstacles on the course of pressure was investigated. Two identical steel grids were used as the obstacles. They were placed 405 mm from either end of the tube. Their blockage ratio (grid area to tube cross-section area) was determined as 0.33 for most of experiments. A few additional experiments (with smaller blockage ratio—0.16) were also conducted in order to compare the influence of the blockage ratio on the explosion development. Also some experiments were conducted in a semi-cylindrical vessel with volume close to 40 l.

All the experiments were performed under stabilized conditions, with the temperature and pressure inside the vessel settled to room values and controlled by means of electronic devices. The pressure–time profiles from two transducers placed in the centreline of the inner wall of the explosion vessel were obtained for stoichiometric (9.5%), lean (7%) and rich (12%) methane–air mixture. The results obtained in the study, including maximum pressures and pressure–time profiles, illustrate a quite distinct influence of the above listed factors upon the explosion characteristics. The effect of ignition position, obstacles location and their BR parameters is discussed.

The additional aim of the performed experiments was to find the data necessary to validate a new computer code, developed to calculate an explosion hazard in industrial installations.     

甲烷-煤尘复合体系中煤尘爆炸下限的实验研究

在3.2 L的燃烧管道中,采用小能量的高压点火装置,通过改变甲烷体积分数、煤尘种类与粒径,研究了甲烷-煤尘复合体系中煤尘爆炸下限的变化规律.研究结果表明,在本文实验条件下,甲烷-煤尘混合物中甲烷体积分数的增加能明显降低煤尘的爆炸下限.对于煤尘粒径小于42 μm煤样A,当甲烷体积分数从1.8%增加到2.2%时,煤尘的爆炸下限相应从30 g/m3下降到6.25 g/m3.煤尘的爆炸下限也随着煤尘中挥发分含量的增加而降低.煤尘粒径对其爆炸下限的影响较弱.实验结果与文献中高能量化学药头点火的测试结果进行比较表明,甲烷对煤尘爆炸下限的影响趋势并不随着点火源能量的改变而改变.     

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.     

Influence of laneway support spacing on methane/air explosion shock wave

A laneway support system provides an available way to solve problems related to ground movements in underground coal mines, but also poses another potential hazard. Once a methane/air explosion occurs in a laneway, inappropriate design parameters of the support system, especially the support spacing, likely have a negative influence on explosion disaster effects. The commercial software package AutoReaGas, a computational fluid dynamics code suitable for gas explosions, was used to carry out the numerical investigation for the methane/air explosion and blast process in a straight laneway with different support spacing. The validity of the numerical method was verified by the methane/air explosion experiment in a steel tube. Laneway supports can promote the development of turbulence and explosion, and also inhibit the propagation of flame and shock wave. For the design parameters in actual laneway projects, the fluid dynamic drag due to the laneway support plays a predominant role in a methane/air explosion. There is an uneven distribution of the peak overpressure on the same cross section in the laneway, and the largest overpressure is near the laneway walls. Different support spacing can cause obvious differences for the distributions of the shock wave overpressure and impulse. Under comparable conditions, the greater destructive effects of explosion shock wave are seen for the laneway support system with larger spacing. The results presented in this work provide a theoretical basis for the optimized design of the support system in coal laneways and the related safety assessments.     

Dynamic pressure induced by a methane–air explosion in a coal mine

The hazardous effect of dynamic pressure and strong gas flows induced by a methane–air mixture explosion in underground coal mines is studied. The dynamic pressure effect of a methane–air explosion was analyzed by numerical simulation, in a duct and tunnel. Compared to the overpressure generated by an explosion that can act on a body, the dynamic pressure caused by the high-speed flow of the gaseous combustion products can cause serious damage as well. At the structural opening of a coal mine, the destruction caused by the dynamic pressure induced by a methane–air explosion is more serious than the overpressure. For a tube or tunnel partially filled by a methane–air mixture, the dynamic pressure is lower than the overpressure in the region occupied by the flammable mixture. Beyond the premixed region, the dynamic pressure is of the same order of magnitude as the overpressure.     

煤矿乏风瓦斯蜂窝蓄热氧化床阻力特性研究

煤矿乏风由于风排量大、瓦斯浓度低等特点很难利用传统的方式加以利用,一般将其直接排放到大气中,这不仅造成资源浪费而且对天气环境造成严重污染.热逆流氧化装置可以有效氧化乏风瓦斯并回收其中的热量,而由蜂窝陶瓷体填充的蓄热氧化床是其氧化装置的关键部件之一. 通过对蓄热氧化床流动过程进行理论研究,得出3种常用蜂窝氧化床冷热态下的阻力计算数学模型,并结合算例分析得出以下结论:1)冷态下,氧化床阻力损失其孔隙率、通道直径或边长及乏风进气速度等因素相关,在其他条件一定时,阻力损失与乏风进气速度成正比,氧化床通道的边长或直径的平方及孔隙率成反比;2)在相同孔密度和孔隙率的条件下,方形通道蜂窝陶瓷氧化床的阻力损失最大,圆形阻力最小;3)热志下,氧化床阻力损失还与氧化床温度分布有关,某一处压强梯度的大小该处的温度近似成平方的关系;4)氧化床运行时,伴随气体温度和流速在氧化床内部变化,气体所受到的阻力也发生剧烈变化,位于氧化床两端的预热段和蓄热段压强损失较小,而氧化床中心的反应段压强损失较大.     

Experimental study on the mitigation via an ultra-fine water mist of methane/coal dust mixture explosions in the presence of obstacles

In this paper, experimental investigations were performed for the mitigation via an ultra-fine water mist of methane/coal dust mixture explosions in the presence of obstacles to reveal the effects of the obstacles in this scenario. Two PCB piezo-electronic pressure transducers were used to acquire the pressure history, a Fastcam Ultima APX high-speed video camera was used to visualize both the process of the mixture explosion and its mitigation. The diameters of the coal dust, the types of obstacles and the volumes of ultra-fine water mist were varied in the tests. The parameters of the explosion overpressure and the range of critical volume flux of the ultra-fine water mist for explosion mitigation were determined. The results show that the mixture explosion and its mitigation are primarily influenced by the number, shape and set locations of the obstacles. When the volume flux of the water mist is larger than a certain amount, the mixture explosions and the effects of obstacles can be completely mitigated with the ultra-fine water mist.     

Effects of humidity on minimum ignition energy of gaseous epoxypropane/air mixtures

The minimum ignition energy (MIE) is an important property for designing safety standards and understanding the ignition process of combustible mixtures. The minimum ignition energy (MIE) of gaseous epoxypropane/air mixtures is measured using capacitive spark discharge. The effect of humidity on MIE is studied. It is shown that the MIE is not constant when the relative humidity increases from 40% to 88% at room temperature. The relative humidity has no significant influence on the MIE of gaseous epoxypropane/air mixtures at the lower volume fraction of gaseous epoxypropane in air. But, it has significant influence on that at the higher volume fraction. The MIEs of gaseous epoxypropane/air mixtures vary with the fraction of gaseous epoxypropane in air and the humidity. The lowest value of MIE (0.12 mJ) of gaseous epoxypropane/air mixtures is reached at around 10% in the examined ranges of the concentrations for the humidity 40%. The lowest values of MIE (0.1 mJ) of the mixtures are reached also at around 10% in the examined ranges of the concentrations for the humidity 66% and 88% respectively.     

新型高聚物煤自燃阻化剂的试验研究

煤堆自然发火是一个严重的经济和安全问题,是重大灾害之一.目前有许多采用阻化剂防止煤炭自燃的技术,但普遍存在阻化效果不稳定、寿命短等不足.本文选用合适的高聚物分子作为阻化剂,并以水玻璃、CaO、表面活性剂等为添加剂.进行双氧水氧化升温试验、程序升温氧化试验和阻化性试验,结果表明,这种新型阻化剂阻化效果良好,阻化率达90%以上.高聚物分子通过物理吸附、机械结合、化学吸附等作用使煤粒相互粘结,最后能在煤堆表面形成一定厚度和一定强度的固化层,覆盖在煤表面,阻缓氧气进入煤体,提高了对煤炭的阻化效果.这种阻化剂无毒无害、使用方便,具有良好的应用前景.     

Numerical simulation of blast wave oscillation effects on a premixed methane/air explosion in closed-end ducts

This paper investigated the effects of blast wave oscillation on the overpressure of premixed methane/air explosions by numerical simulations and experiments. The AutoReaGas 3D code and a duct were used in the study. The oscillation induced by the repeat reflection of a blast wave in a closed-end duct was observed by high-speed camera. There was an oscillation zone in the blast wave which exhibited some saw-toothed characteristics. This explained why the overpressure in closed-end ducts was higher than that in open-end ducts. In addition, some of the peak overpressure was even higher than the C–J pressure of 1.76 MPa. The peak overpressures at the ducts' ends were higher than at other measurement points for 5 m, 10 m, and 15 m long ducts. This was mainly due to the reflection of the blast wave. The oscillating period increased with increasing duct length, and could be calculated by t = 0.0003 + 0.00198 L. However, the duct's diameter had no significant influence on the oscillation's period. The amplitude increased with increases in the duct length, except for the case of a 20 m long duct, and increased with decreases in the ducts' diameter. In addition, the peak overpressures in ducts of the same length/diameter ratio were similar. The peak overpressure increased with the increase of the length/diameter ratio, and the maximum value of the peak overpressure in the ducts had the same trend. However, the overpressure did not increase when the length/diameter ratio reached 250.     

煤矿环境对矿工个体行为的影响机制研究

为了研究煤矿环境对矿工个体行为的影响机制,基于计划行为理论与文献研究法,建立了3个维度个体因素与7个维度环境因素之间的假设关系,编制了矿工不安全行为影响因素测量量表.构建了环境因素与个体因素影响关系结构方程模型,通过分析结构方程模型的路径系数和拟合数据,得出矿工不安全行为中环境因素对个体因素的影响关系.结果 表明:个体行为态度受安全氛围、物理因素正向影响效果较大,受生活事件、工作性质负向影响效果较大;主观规范受教育培训、安全氛围正向影响效果较大;知觉行为控制受安全氛围、教育培训及安全监管正向影响效果较大.3类个体因素共同作用于矿工意向,从而影响其生产行为.     

矿井下着火点位置数值模拟研究

矿井煤炭自燃是煤矿五大自然灾害之一,而煤炭自燃隐蔽着火点位置的确定是解决煤炭自燃问题的关键。本文结合实际情况将火源位置的确定问题归结为热传导方程的寻源反问题。在理想状态下,把煤矿井下热传导的三维模型简化为二维模型,建立热传导方程及初始条件和边界条件,在matlab中编制了有限差分程序对井下着火点的温度场进行了正反演模拟。数值模拟结果表明:该方法能够较准确地反演出火源的特性,并随着离散化程度的提高,离散解逐渐逼近真实解。通过本文的数值模拟我们得知有限差分法求解热传导寻源反演的方法是解决矿井隐蔽火源发火点位置的有效途径之一,对矿井防、灭火研究具有较高的理论和实际应用价值。     

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.     

基于20L球形爆炸装置的甲烷煤尘混合爆炸实验

利用实验室自行设计的20L球形爆炸装置,对煤尘及甲烷煤尘混合物的爆炸特性进行了研究。结果表明:无论有无甲烷,煤尘的最大爆炸压力随煤尘浓度增加呈现先升高后降低的变化趋势,并且均在在煤尘浓度为600g/m3时均达到最大值。同时,甲烷的加入明显提高了煤尘最大爆炸压力值,而且随着甲烷浓度的增加,最大爆炸压力增幅先增加后降低,在甲烷5%时增幅最大。煤尘的爆炸持续时间随煤尘浓度增加呈现先降低后升高的特点,甲烷存在时有同样规律,但是有甲烷时爆炸持续时间明显降低,而且随着甲烷含量的增加,煤尘的爆炸持续时间降低幅度不断增加,在甲烷5%以后趋于稳定。实验结果对生产实践有一定的指导作用。     

Effect of spark duration on explosion parameters of methane/air mixtures in closed vessels

The paper outlines an experimental study on influence of the spark duration and the vessel volume on explosion parameters of premixed methane–air mixtures in the closed explosion vessels. The main findings from these experiments are: For the weaker ignition the spark durations in the range from 6.5 μs to 40.6 μs had little impact on explosion parameters for premixed methane–air mixtures in the 5 L vessel or 20 L vessel; For the same ignitions and volume fractions of methane in air the explosion pressures and the flame temperatures in both vessels of 5 L and 20 L were approximately the same, but the rates of pressure rises in both vessels of 5 L and 20 L were different; The explosion indexes obtained from the measured pressure time histories for both vessels of 5 L and 20 L were approximately equal; For the weaker ignition with the fixed spark duration 45 μs the ignition energies in the range from 54 mJ to 430 mJ had little impact on the explosion parameters; For the same ignition and the volume fractions of methane in air, the vessel volumes had a significant impact on the flame temperatures near the vessel wall; The flame temperatures near the vessel wall decreased as the vessel volumes increased.     

水分对不同变质程度煤粒瓦斯扩散系数的影响

为了研究水分对不同变质程度煤粒瓦斯扩散系数的影响,利用自制设备,对不同煤阶的干燥煤、原煤、湿煤和平衡水煤样进行瓦斯吸附-解吸-扩散实验,分析扩散过程中不同时间段内水分与变质程度两个因素对扩散系数的影响。结果表明:水分的增加,导致瓦斯扩散系数随时间衰减程度变小。寺河矿干燥煤粒和平衡水煤粒在前120min内扩散系数较前5min分别减小了58.75%和53.2%;随着水分的增大,各变质程度煤样的瓦斯扩散系数比值增大。120min内干燥无烟煤扩散系数分别为瘦煤、气肥煤的1.04和2.37倍,平衡水无烟煤扩散系数分别为瘦煤、气肥煤的1.15和2.44倍;随着水分的增加,各煤阶瓦斯扩散系数减小幅度不同,且随着变质程度的减小,扩散系数的减小程度有变大趋势,前5min内随着水分从干燥煤增加到平衡水煤样,扩散系数减小幅度从无烟煤的72.77%增大到了气肥煤的83.49%。     

A methodology to predict shock overpressure decay in a tunnel produced by a premixed methane/air explosion

A methodology for estimating the blast wave overpressure decay in air produced by a gas explosion in a closed-ended tunnel is proposed based on numerical simulations. The influence of the tunnel wall roughness is taken into account in studying a methane/air mixture explosion and the subsequent propagation of the resulting shock wave in air. The pressure time-history is obtained at different axial locations in the tunnel outside the methane/air mixture. If the shock overpressure at two, or more locations, is known, the value at other locations can be determined according to a simple power law. The study demonstrates the accuracy of the proposed methodology to estimate the overpressure change with distance for shock waves in air produced by methane/air mixture explosions. The methodology is applied to experimental data in order to validate the approach.     

水蒸气对层流甲烷/空气扩散火焰中烟黑生成的影响

空气中水的存在会严重影响烷烃类扩散火焰中烟黑的生成,研究氧化剂流中水对烷烃类火焰的影响,对污染物控制及火灾扑救具有重要意义。模拟采用24步简化机理的有限速率化学反应模型、Moss-Brookes烟黑模型及Discrete Ordinates(DO)辐射模型,研究在空气中加入水对甲烷/空气层流伴流扩散火焰的影响,其中烟黑模型包括烟黑的成核、表面增长和氧化。结果表明,伴流空气中的水蒸气会降低火焰的温度、抑制烟黑的生成。这是因为:一方面,水蒸气降低了甲烷燃烧的温度,火焰温度的降低导致化学反应速率减慢,烟黑成核和表面生长速率随之降低,火焰中烟黑质量分数便减少;另一方面,由于水蒸气的加入使化学反应OH+H_2 H+H_2O(R(15))逆向反应加速,继而导致OH生成量增加。但由于氧气浓度降低使火焰体积增大,OH的浓度降低。从而导致烟黑的氧化速率降低,烟黑生成量增加。由于水蒸气的化学效应小于其温度效应,总体上烟黑质量分数降低。最后对比了模拟结果和试验结果。     

Experimental research on displacing coal bed methane with supercritical CO2

The high-gas and low-permeability are the common problems of China coal mine, which restrain the mining of coal-seam gas resources safely and efficiently. Hence, to solve the problem of low permeability of coal seam, an experimental system was set up and experimental research was conducted to investigate the effect of the displacement of methane by injecting supercritical CO₂ into coal samples. The experimental results indicated that, the extraction effect of supercritical CO₂ changes the coal’s porosity, and broadens the seepage channel for methane. Thus, the methane could be desorbed effectively from the coal matrix, and flow through more cracks at higher speed.