Experimental and numerical evaluations on characteristics of vented methane explosion

To research the characteristics of vented explosion of methane-air mixture in the pipeline,coal mine tunnel or other closed space,the experiments and numerical simulations were carried out.In this work,explosion characteristics and flame propagation characteristics of methane in pipeline and coal mine tunnel are studied by using an explosion test system,combined with FLACS software,under different vented conditions.The numerical simulation results of methane explosion are basically consistent with the physical experiment results,which indicates that the numerical simulation for methane explosion is reliable to be applied to the practice.The results show that explosion parameters(pressure,temperature and product concentration)of methane at five volume fractions have the same change trend.Nevertheless,the explosion intension of 10.0%methane is the largest and that of 9.5%methane is relatively weak,followed by 11.0%methane,8.0%methane and 7.0%methane respectively.Under different vented conditions,the pressure and temperature of methane explosion are the highest in the pipeline without a vent,followed by the pipeline where ignition or vent position is in each end,and those are the lowest in the pipeline with ignition and vent at the same end.There is no significant effect on final product concentration of methane explosion under three vented conditions.For coal mine tunnel,it is indicated that the maximum explosion pressure at the airproof wall in return airway with the branch roadway at 50 m from goaf is significantly decreased while that in intake airway does not change overwhelmingly.In addition,when the branch roadway is longer or its section is larger,the peak pressure of airproof wall reduces slightly.

TURBULENCE, VORTEX AND EXTERNAL EXPLOSION INDUCED BY VENTING

The process of explosion venting to air in a cylindrical vent vessel connected to a duct, filling with a stoichiometric methane-oxygen gas mixture, was simulated numerically by using a colocated grid SIMPLE scheme based on k-epsilon turbulent model and Eddy-dissipation combustion model. The characteristics of the combustible cloud, flame and pressure distribution in the external flow field during venting were analyzed in terms of the predicted results.The results show that the external explosion is generated due to violent turbulent combustion in the high pressure region within the external combustible cloud ignited by a jet flame. And the turbulence and vortex in the external flow field were also discussed in detail. After the jet flame penetrating into the external combustible cloud, the turbulent intensity is greater in the regions with greater average kinetic energy gradient, rather than in the flame front; and the vortex in the external flow field is generated primarily due to the baroclinic effect, which is greater in the regions where the pressure and density gradients are nearly perpendicular.

Investigation of a semi-empirical load model of natural gas explosion in vented spaces

Due to the influence of many factors,the overpressure-time history load model of vented gas explosions is difficult to describe and is not conducive to further structural design.Based on vented gas explosion test data,this paper obtains three typical overpressure-time history curves and puts forward a new semi-empirical model-double hump model that considers gas concentration and venting pressure,and gives a formula for peak pressure and overpressure-time history model.The scientificity of the model is then verified by the total impulse in the load.The model is able directly reflect the load characteristics,provide reference for calculating key parameters of a vented gas explosion and provide information on the structural response under the load.The model thereby has the potential to help reduce the impact of gas explosion disasters.

Large-scale experimental investigation of the effects of gas explosions in underdrains

This study involved the construction and explosion of a large-scale(80-meter-long)underdrain and detailed investigations of the damaging impacts of a gas explosion to provide an experimental foundation for similarity modeling and infrastructural designs.The experiment vividly recreated the scene and explosion damage of the"11.22″explosion accident in Qingdao,China,thus allowing for evaluations of the movements and destruction of the cover plates.The damage mechanism was determined by analyzing the overpressure curves inside and outside the underground canal.It was determined that the cover plates were first lifted by the precursor wave,which induced a maximum overpressure of 0.06 MPa and resulted in explosion venting.The pressure entered the deflagration stage at the end of the explosion.The combustion wave overpressure reached 3.115 MPa close to the initiation point,and had a significant influence on the projectile energy of the cover plates there.Overall,64%of the cover plates were only affected by the precursor wave,while 36%of the cover plates were subjected to both the precursor wave and the combustion wave;these cover plates were severely damaged.The results of this study provide fundamental insights relevant to the prevention and control of underdrain gas explosions.

Experimental Investigation on Characteristics of Blast Load in Partially Confined Cabin Structure

Some characteristics of interior explosions within a cabin structure with a venting hole are investigated.It may simulate a warhead explosion inside a cabin following its penetration through the cabin wall.The study includes both experimental and theoretical analyses of the problem.The experimental investigation comprises of two types of explosives at the center of the cabin.The pressure distributions at diferent locations on the cabin wall are obtained.The efect of internal shock reflection is analyzed by using the method of images(MOI).It is found that the geometric symmetries can cause the multiple reflected shocks to converge with strength comparable to the initial free shock.