Vented Methane-air Explosion Overpressure Calculation—A simplified approach based on CFD

This paper presents new correlations developed through numerical simulations to estimate peak overpressures for vented methane-air explosions in cylindrical enclosures. A series of experimental tests are carried out first and the results are used to validate the numerical models developed with the c...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Process safety and environmental protection 2017-07, Vol.109, p.489-508
Main Authors: Li, Jingde, Hernandez, Francisco, Hao, Hong, Fang, Qin, Xiang, Hengbo, Li, Zhan, Zhang, Xihong, Chen, Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aerodynamics
Burning
Combustion
Computer simulation
Correlation analysis
Enclosures
Explosions
Gas explosions
Mathematical models
Methane
Methane-air explosion
Overpressure
Peak overpressure
Studies
Turbulence
Velocity
Vent activation
Vent area
Vented gas explosion
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This paper presents new correlations developed through numerical simulations to estimate peak overpressures for vented methane-air explosions in cylindrical enclosures. A series of experimental tests are carried out first and the results are used to validate the numerical models developed with the commercial CFD software FLACS. More than 350 simulations consisting of 16 enclosure scales, 12 vent area to enclosure roof area ratios, 8 gas equivalence ratios and 9 vent activation pressures are then carried out to develop the Vented Methane-air Explosion Overpressure Calculation (VMEOC) correlations. Parameters associated with burning velocity and turbulence generation, oscillatory combustion and flame instabilities in vented gas explosion are taken into account in the development of new correlations. Comparing to CFD simulations, the VMEOC correlations provide a faster way to estimate the peak overpressure of a vented explosion. Additionally, it is proved in this study that the VMEOC correlations are easier to use and more accurate than the equations given in the up-to-date industrial standard- NFPA-68 2013 edition.
ISSN:0957-5820
1744-3598
DOI:10.1016/j.psep.2017.04.025