TY - JOUR
T1 - Vented Methane-air Explosion Overpressure Calculation—A simplified approach based on CFD
AU - Li, Jingde
AU - Hernandez, Francisco
AU - Hao, Hong
AU - Fang, Qin
AU - Xiang, Hengbo
AU - Li, Zhan
AU - Zhang, Xihong
AU - Chen, Li
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Institution of Chemical Engineers
PY - 2017
Y1 - 2017
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - Methane-air explosion
KW - Peak overpressure
KW - Vent activation
KW - Vent area
KW - Vented gas explosion
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85019587992&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.psep.2017.04.025
DO - 10.1016/j.psep.2017.04.025
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85019587992
SN - 0957-5820
VL - 109
SP - 489
EP - 508
JO - Process Safety and Environmental Protection
JF - Process Safety and Environmental Protection
ER -