Combined effects of obstacle and fine water mist on gas explosion characteristics

Combined effects of obstacles and fine water mist on a methane-air explosion of a semi-closed pipe were investigated experimentally.In this study,the diameter of the water mist,the location,and the number of obstacles was considered.The results demonstrated that 5 μm water mist present a significant suppression affected while 45 μm shows a slight promotion effected on a gas explosion of the condition without obstacles.In the presence of an obstacle,however,the inhibitory effect of 5 μm water veils of mist dropped significantly during flame propagation,and the effect of 45 μm water veils of mist changed from the enhancement of inhibition,and its inhibitory effect was significant.The inhibitory effect of 45 μm water veils of mist on gas explosion weakened firstly and then enhanced with the increasing distance between obstacle location from the ignition location as well as in several obstacles.

Experimental investigation on micro-dynamic behavior of gas explosion suppression with SiO_2 fine powders

To study the effect of inert dust on gas explosion suppression mechanism,SiO_2 fine powders were sprayed to suppress premixed CH_4-Air gas explosion in a 20 L spherical experimental system.In the experiment,high speed schlieren image system was adopted to record explosion flame propagation behaviors,meanwhile,pressure transducers and ion current probes were used to clearly record the explosion flame dynamic characteristics.The experimental results show that the SiO_2 fine powders suppressed evidently the gas explosion flame,and reduced the peak value of pressure and flame speed by more than 40%.The ion current result shows that the SiO_2 super fine powders were easy to contact with and absorb free radicals near the combustion reaction region,which greatly reduced the combustion reaction intensity,and in turn influenced the flame propagation and pressure rising.

Active protection of work area against explosion of dust-gas mixture

Potentially explosive atmosphere can occur not only in the production systems of the food,energy,chemical and petrochemical industries but also in the production processes of the mining industry.Gases,vapours,mists and dusts arise can escape in an uncontrolled way during production,processing,transportation and storage of flammable substances.In combination with oxygen,they create explosive atmospheres that,if ignited,lead to an explosion causing catastrophic damage to peopled lives and property.To protect against the results of hazardous dust-gas mixtures explosions in a confined work space,where employees can stay,various control and protection mechanisms are used in the form of an active explosion-proof system.The article presents the results of tests on an active system for limiting the effects of ignition of gas and/or dust based on a highly efficient explosion suppression system-equipped with an ignition detection system,high-pressure fire extinguisher and a power supply and trigger system.Smokeless powder was used as the explosive charge and sodium bicarbonate as the suppressive material.Tests of the effectiveness of the active explosion suppression system were carried out on two devices:a small-size dry dust collector and a zone extinguishing system adapted for direct explosion suppression in closed working spaces.In both cases,the explosion suppression process took place through the action of extinguishing powder blown out of the fire extinguisher after membrane perforation by compressed combustion products.

Application of Composite Materials in the Fire Explosion Suppression System

In order to lighten the weight of the special vehicles and improve their mobility and flexibility, the weight of all subsystems of the whole vehicle must be reduced in the general planning. A fire explosion suppression system is an important subsystem for the self-protection of vehicle, protection of crews and safety of a vehicle. The performances of the special vehicles determine their survival ability and combat capability. The composite bottle is made of aluminum alloy with externally wrapped carbon fiber ; it has been proven by a large number of tests that the new type explosion suppression fire distinguisher made of such composite materials applied in the special vehicle has reliable performance, each of its technical indexes is higher or equal to that of a steel distinguisher, and the composites can also optimize the assembly structure of the bottle, and improve the reliability and corrosion resistance. Most important is that the composite materials can effectively lighten the weight of the fire explosion suppression system to reach the target of weight reduction of the subsystem in general planning.