Tomlin, GB, Phylaktou, HN, Johnson, M et al. (2 more authors) (2016) Gas Explosions in Partially Filled, Large Twin Enclosures Connected with an Open Door and Having Variable Vent Sizes on Both Compartments. In: Proceedings of the Eighth International Seminar on Fire & Explosion Hazards (ISFEH8). Eighth International Seminar on Fire & Explosion Hazards (ISFEH8), 25-28 Apr 2016, Hefei, China. Press of the University of Science & Technology of China
Abstract
Accidental gas explosions are a recognised hazard in process industries but they are also common in residential buildings. Whilst process plants have specifically designed vent reliefs to limit the enclosure damage, in homes a similar effect is achieved due to the presence of doors and windows whose failure often protects the building. There are empirically based correlations for predicting overpressure and for vent sizing, however these are limited in application to simple enclosures. In practice, enclosures have interconnected spaces which would potentially increase the flame acceleration considerably. In this paper we present the results of full scale natural gas layer tests in a twin chamber, which consisted of two 22 m3 enclosures connected by an open doorway. Layered natural gas/air mixtures of 8, 10 and 12% by volume, were ignited at the rear of one of the chambers. Explosion relief was provided by vent openings of 2.48, 1.49 or 0.74 m2 on the far walls of both chambers. With tests with equal large vents on each of the chambers, the dominant influence was the external explosion. The maximum overpressure was produced by tests involving a 12% natural gas concentration. The use of a smaller vent in the adjoining enclosure had a significant effect on the maximum overpressure and the mechanism of the explosion development. However, altering the size from 1.49 m2 to 0.74 m2 had little overall effect. This was largely due to the greater generation of turbulence and the venting process which predominantly occurred via the doorway and through the ignition-chamber vent opening. The use of a smaller vent in the ignition enclosure also altered the manner in which the explosion developed. A venting driven ‘jetting’ expanding flame, propagated into the adjoining enclosure and towards the far vent opening, generating the dominant pressure peak in these type of tests.
Metadata
Item Type: | Proceedings Paper |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | (c) 2016, Author(s). This is an author produced version of a paper published Proceedings of the Eighth International Seminar on Fire & Explosion Hazards (ISFEH8). Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | gas, explosion, twin, enclosure |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Chemical & Process Engineering (Leeds) > Energy Research Institute (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 22 Sep 2016 11:43 |
Last Modified: | 29 Jan 2018 23:54 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Press of the University of Science & Technology of China |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:104927 |