Influence of coal particles on methane/air mixture ignition in a heated environment

The temperature at which coal dust glows is normally much lower than the auto-ignition temperature (AIT) of methane/air mixtures, and thus a better understanding is needed regarding methane/air ignition in a heated environment in the presence of coal particles. A horizontal tube apparatus was used to test the effect of brown coal and two kinds of bituminous and anthracite on methane/air combustibility. For the four coal samples tested, the presence of coal particles significantly reduced the minimum temperature for ignition of methane/air mixtures in a heated environment. No. 1 bituminous coal with 12 mm diameter decreased the ignition temperature value from 595 to 500 °C. It is thought that pre-ignition of low-AIT volatiles emitted from the heated coal particles ignited the methane/air mixtures. Volatiles, sulfur content, and large porosity of piled coal particles all enhanced ignition of methane/air mixtures in a hot environment, while water content and small particle size reduced ignition. For anthracite, no ignition occurred when temperatures of the heated environment were lower than the AIT of methane (595 °C), except for the 12-mm-diameter sample. Anthracite did not readily ignite methane/air mixtures and the ignition mechanism was somewhat similar to that of a burning cigarette.     

Modified explosive diagram for determining gas-mixture explosibility

Determination of mine gas explosibility is definitely a significant work for mine safety especially when any mine rescue strategies are under planning or implementing. In detail, its importance can be well understood by the following two aspects: First, if a coal mine's production is under the normal conditions, the underground mine atmosphere must be monitored as a timely matter and its explosibility should also be determined shortly due to the continuous emission of methane or other combustible gases. Thus, the critical time which means a time period that combustible gases could build up to reach the lower flammable limit and then pass the upper flammable limit can be effectively watched and controlled. Second, when facing a mine rescue work or mitigating a hazard of mine accidents (gas explosion, coal fire, etc.), the explosibility determination is also very critical for miners' lives. In this paper, a widely used mine gas explosibility determination method, the Coward diagram, is going to be modified to improve its accuracy. The improvements made in this research effort include: (1) expanding the original Coward diagram; (2) correcting flammable limits; (3) redefining the nose limit for each combustible gas; (4) developing an equation to predict the excess amount of inert gas for individual combustible gas. Finally, the flowchart of the modified Coward explosibility diagram method is listed. By a cross-verification study, it shows that the modified Coward method has better accuracy and reliability and could be applied in practices.     

Quantitative risk analysis of urban natural gas pipeline networks using geographical information systems

This paper presents a novel quantitative risk analysis process for urban natural gas pipeline networks using geographical information systems (GIS). The process incorporates an assessment of failure rates of integrated pipeline networks, a quantitative analysis model of accident consequences, and assessments of individual and societal risks. Firstly, the failure rates of the pipeline network are calculated using empirical formulas influenced by parameters such as external interference, corrosion, construction defects, and ground movements. Secondly, the impacts of accidents due to gas leakage, diffusion, fires, and explosions are analyzed by calculating the area influenced by poisoning, burns, and deaths. Lastly, based on the previous analyses, individual risks and social risks are calculated. The application of GIS technology helps strengthen the quantitative risk analysis (QRA) model and allows construction of a QRA system for urban gas pipeline networks that can aid pipeline management staff in demarcating high risk areas requiring more frequent inspections.     

Screening and prioritizing the precursors of improvised explosive devices from commodity chemicals being controlled under Korean regulations

Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have become an alternative method for terrorists or criminals who face difficulties in obtaining traditional explosives as threatening tools. The ease of obtaining precursor materials from commodity chemicals in the free market and the ease of generating bombs through the hands of novices have created problems. Controlling the potential precursors to defeat illegal acquisition is not trivial due to their widespread use as common merchandise among chemical industries and consumers. However, efforts to identify the potential precursors may be the first step for devising appropriate control measures. In this study, we proposed a systematic screening method for identifying potential IED precursors (IEDPs) from commodity chemicals, which are regulated by Korean controls. We identified 25 potential IEDPs from 3980 candidate chemicals that can be diverted into IEDs or homemade bombs but are not likely to be solely used as an IED. We also developed a methodology of prioritizing the potential precursor chemicals to assess the urgency of controls using a scoring system with four criteria: previous listing as an official precursor; past record of being encountered in criminal use; volume of commercial circulation, which denotes the probability of exposure to individuals; and the degree of regulatory counter-measures against illegal acquisitions that are currently effective in Korea.     

RETRACTED:

Jianfeng Li  Sandra M.Y. Lee  Wenmao Liu 《Process Safety and Environmental Protection》2013,91(3):213-220

Emergy analysis of cassava vinasse treatment

Vinasse has great pollution to the environment. A number of technologies have been explored for reducing the pollution of vinasse. Sustainability has become an important factor when discussing wastewater treatment techniques. Emergy analysis was used to evaluate the treatment of cassava vinasse in this paper. Cr (emergy consumption ratio) as a new emergy index was proposed to measure the impact of waste treatment to the society. Centrifugal solid–liquid separation, UASB (up-flow anaerobic sludge bed), and SBR (sequencing batch reactor activated sludge process) are used in the treatment process. The emergy indices for cassava vinasse treatment system were as follows: EYR (emergy yield ratio) was 6.20, ELR (environmental loading ratio) was 5.81, ESI (emergy sustainability index) was 1.07, and Cr was 4.60E+12 sej/m³. The emergy of coal electricity accounts for 46% of all purchased inputs. It is necessary to improve the treatment technology to reduce the electricity used.     

人体装甲测试用模拟破片的应用与发展

模拟破片是人体装甲防弹性能测试评价的主要试验弹体.本文对人体装甲和模拟破片进行了阐释,分析了模拟破片的应用背景,对国内外现状进行了对比分析,对标准模拟破片的确定以及爆炸破片的发展进行了探讨,提出了开展新型模拟破片及其测试技术研究的重要意义.     

矿工不安全行为致因分析及控制

探讨和研究人的不安全行为产生原因及控制已成为预防矿难发生的热点问题。针对现场获得的矿工不安全行为（“三违”）事件,从生理和心理效价、经济效价、时间效价、法规执行成本、危险压力成本五个方面进行致因分析,采用模糊聚类方法,选取适当的阈值λ,将不安全行为的产生分为三个基本要素,即:安全知识不足、安全技能不够、安全意识淡薄。鉴于目前对“三违”人员通常采取行政处罚,以及对安全知识和技能的培训流于形式,未能杜绝三违的重复发生,提出了针对不安全行为成因进行针对性的安全教育模式,并且取得了良好效果。     

地铁车站及隧道全尺寸火灾实验研究(3)—车站隧道火灾

为了研究烟气在地铁车站隧道内的蔓延特征,及在车站隧道通风排烟系统、区间隧道通风排烟系统及车站公共区通风排烟系统联合排烟情况下烟气控制效果,在一地铁车站隧道内开展了全尺寸火灾实验.实验研究了车站隧道顶部横向排烟作用下的烟气扩散规律,及烟气的温度变化,分析了屏蔽门开关状态下烟气与空气的卷吸混合特性,及区间风机的气流组织对通风排烟的影响.实验结果对于地铁车站隧道火灾防排烟设计提供了数据支持.     

电磁辐射职业危害及防护对策

科技飞速发展的今天,射频及微波技术已经广泛应用于国民经济的各个领域,这使得越来越多的从业人员在工作场所受到电磁辐射污染的影响。本文总结归纳了我国电磁辐射职业危害状况,分析了现代企业电磁辐射防护的新特点,并提出企业电磁辐射防护对策。