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Article
Publication date: 13 May 2021

Lei Pang, Qianran Hu and Kai Yang

The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the harm to personnel and equipment caused by an external explosion during natural gas explosion venting. The external explosion

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the harm to personnel and equipment caused by an external explosion during natural gas explosion venting. The external explosion characteristics induced by the indoor natural gas explosion are the focal points of the investigation.

Design/methodology/approach

Computational fluid dynamics technology was used to investigate the large-scale explosion venting process of natural gas in a 6 × 3 × 2.5 m room, and the characteristics of external explosion under different scaled vent size (Kv = Av/V2/3, 0.05, 0.08, 0.13, 0.18) were numerically analyzed.

Findings

When Kv = 0.08, the length and duration of the explosion fireball are 13.39 and 450 ms, respectively, which significantly expands the degree and range of high-temperature hazards. The suitable flow-field structure causes the external explosion overpressure to be more than twice that indoors, i.e. the natural gas explosion venting overpressure may be considerably more hazardous in an outdoor environment than inside a room. A specific range for the Kv can promote the superposition of outdoor rupture waves and explosion shock waves, thereby creating a new overpressure hazard.

Originality/value

Little attention has been devoted to investigating systematically the external explosion hazards. Based on the numerical simulation and the analysis, the external explosion characteristics induced by the indoor large-scale gas explosion were obtained. The research results are theoretically significant for mitigating the effects of external gas explosions on personnel and equipment.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 32 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 January 2016

Gu Gong and Hua Zhu

The purpose of this study satisfied the need for rapid, sensitive and highly portable identification of an explosion gas. In our study, a battery-operated, low-cost and portable…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study satisfied the need for rapid, sensitive and highly portable identification of an explosion gas. In our study, a battery-operated, low-cost and portable gas detection system consisting of a cataluminescence-based sensor array was developed for the detection and identification of explosion gas. This device shows how the discriminatory capacity of sensor arrays utilizing pattern recognition operate in environments.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 25 sensor units, including common metal oxides and decorated materials, have been carefully selected as sensing elements of 5 × 5 sensor array. Dynamic and static analysis methods were utilized to characterize the performance of the explosion gas detection system to five kinds of explosion gases. The device collects images of chemical sensors before and after exposing to the target gas and then processes those images to extract the unique characteristic for each gas. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to analyze the image patterns.

Findings

Our study demonstrated that the portable gas detection device shows promising perspective for the recognition and discrimination of explosion gas. It can be used for the olfactory system of robot made by integrating the electronic nose and computer together.

Originality/value

The device collects images of chemical sensors before and after exposing to the target gas and then processes those images to extract the unique characteristic for each gas. HCA and (PCA were used to analyze the image patterns. Our study demonstrated that the portable gas detection device shows promising perspective for the recognition and discrimination of explosion gas. It can be used for olfactory system of robot made by integrating the electronic nose and computer together.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 36 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 September 2022

Hang-Wei Wan, Yu-Quan Wen and Qi Zhang

The reaction dynamics of combustible clouds at high temperatures and pressures are a common form of energy output in aerospace and explosion accidents. The cloud explosion process…

Abstract

Purpose

The reaction dynamics of combustible clouds at high temperatures and pressures are a common form of energy output in aerospace and explosion accidents. The cloud explosion process is often affected by the external initial conditions. This study aims to numerically study the effects of airflow velocity, initial temperature and fuel concentration on the explosion behavior of isopropyl nitrate/air mixture in a semiconstrained combustor.

Design/methodology/approach

The discrete-phase model was adopted to consider the interaction between the gas-phase and droplet particles. A wave model was applied to the droplet breakup. A finite rate/eddy dissipation model was used to simulate the explosion process of the fuel cloud.

Findings

The peak pressure and temperature growth rate both decrease with the increasing initial temperature (1,000–2,200 K) of the combustor at a lower airflow velocity. The peak pressure increases with the increase of airflow velocity (50–100 m/s), whereas the peak temperature is not sensitive to the initial high temperature. The peak pressure of the two-phase explosion decreases with concentration (200–1,500 g/m3), whereas the peak temperature first increases and then decreases as the concentration increases.

Practical implications

Chain explosion reactions often occur under high-temperature, high-pressure and turbulent conditions. This study aims to provide prevention and data support for a gas–liquid two-phase explosion.

Originality/value

Sustained turbulence is realized by continuously injecting air and liquid fuel into a semiconfined high-temperature and high-pressure combustor to obtain the reaction dynamic parameters of a two-phase explosion.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 33 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 April 2014

Qi Zhang, Lei Pang and Dachao Lin

The high-velocity wind caused by a methane-air explosion is one of the important hazardous effects in explosion events of coal mines, and, however, until now it has not been…

Abstract

Purpose

The high-velocity wind caused by a methane-air explosion is one of the important hazardous effects in explosion events of coal mines, and, however, until now it has not been received much attention from scientific works. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

In consideration of the difficulties in observing particle velocities of high-velocity flows, this work presented a study to reveal the regularity during a methane-air explosion happening in the tunnel of coal mine through the numerical analysis approach.

Findings

The strong wind caused by a methane-air explosion is a significant hazard and can cause damage in the accidents of methane-air explosion in underground coal mines, especially at structural opening, according to this work. Obtained results show that maximum particle velocity of the high-velocity wind occurs in the outside region of the premixed area, with a peak value of 400∼500 m/s, and the peak velocity of the high-velocity wind decreases exponentially with distance beyond the premixed area.

Originality/value

The objective of this work was to examine the effect of wind caused by a methane-air explosion in a tunnel. Other information, such as shock wave and flame and temperature distribution, has been reported in the previous literatures. However, in the accidents of methane-air explosion in underground coal mines, some phenomena (structural opening is destroyed badly) can not be understood by using shock wave and flame and temperature distribution caused by the explosion. The strong wind caused by a methane-air explosion is another significant hazard and can cause damage in the methane-air explosion accidents in underground coal mines, especially at structural opening, according to this work.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 31 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 March 2017

Longfei Hou, Dan Wang, Bingxuan Du, Xinmin Qian and Mengqi Yuan

The purpose of this paper is to present a new technique for monitoring gas leakage in underground pipelines to prevent dangerous explosions.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a new technique for monitoring gas leakage in underground pipelines to prevent dangerous explosions.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel system for monitoring methane concentration in underground spaces was developed by integrating the multi-channeled air sampling method with an infrared gas sensor. A pipe installation methodology (without excavation) was established and verified accordingly.

Findings

The proposed approach was proven successful in reducing the quantity of sensors needed for real-time monitoring of underground pipeline leakage by about 80 per cent. Furthermore, this system lowers total operational cost by as much as 60 per cent.

Originality/value

The results presented here represent a possible solution to reducing the public safety risks associated with explosions and fires caused by pipeline leakage in underground spaces. Its total cost is low and its monitoring efficiency is high.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 37 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 2016

Bingyou Jiang, Zegong Liu, Shulei Shi, Feng Cai, Jian Liu, Mingyun Tang and Baiquan Lin

The purpose of this paper is to understand a flameproof distance necessary to avoid the flame harms to underground personnel which may have great significance to the safety of…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand a flameproof distance necessary to avoid the flame harms to underground personnel which may have great significance to the safety of underground personnel and the disaster relief of gas explosions in coal mines.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a roadway with a length of 100 m and a cross-section area of 80 mm×80 mm, the flame propagation of premixed methane-air deflagrations were simulated by using AutoReaGas software for various fuel concentrations (7, 8, 9.5, 11, and 14 percent), fuel volumes (0.0128, 0.0384, 0.064, and 0.0896 m3), initial temperatures (248, 268, 288, 308, and 328 K), and initial pressures (20, 60, 101.3, 150, and 200 kPa).

Findings

The maximum combustion rate for each point follows a changing trend of increasing and decreasing with the distance increasing from the ignition source, and it increases with the fuel volume increasing or the initial pressure increasing, and decreases with the initial temperature increasing. However, increasing the initial temperature increases the flame arrival time for each point. The flameproof distance follows a changing trend of increasing and decreasing with the fuel concentration increasing, and it linearly increases with the fuel volume increasing or the initial temperature increasing. However, the flameproof distances are all 17 m for various initial pressures.

Originality/value

Increasing initial temperature increases flame arrival time for each test point. Flameproof distance increases and then decreases with fuel concentration increasing. Increasing fuel volume or initial temperature linearly increases flameproof distance. Initial pressure has little impact on the flameproof distance.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 26 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 September 2023

Omid Alijani Mamaghani and Mohammad Zolfaghari

Gas transmission pipelines are at constant risk of gas leakage or fire due to various atmospheric environments, corrosion on pipe metal surfaces and other external factors. This…

Abstract

Purpose

Gas transmission pipelines are at constant risk of gas leakage or fire due to various atmospheric environments, corrosion on pipe metal surfaces and other external factors. This study aims to reduce the human and financial risks associated with gas transmission by regularly monitoring pipeline performance, controlling situations and preventing disasters.

Design/methodology/approach

Facility managers can monitor the status of gas transmission lines in real-time by integrating sensor information into a building information modeling (BIM) 3D model. Using the Monitoring Panel plugin, coded in C# programming language and operated through Navisworks software, the model provides up-to-date information on pipeline safety and performance.

Findings

By collecting project information on the BIM and installing critical sensors, this approach allows facility manager to observe the real-time safety status of gas pipelines. If any risks of gas leakage or accidents are identified by the sensors, the BIM model quickly shows the location of the incident, enabling facility managers to make the best decisions to reduce financial and life risks. This intelligent gas transmission pipeline approach changes traditional risk management and inspection methods, minimizing the risk of explosion and gas leakage in the environment.

Originality/value

This research distinguishes itself from related work by integrating sensor data into a BIM model for real-time monitoring and providing facility managers with up-to-date safety information. By leveraging intelligent gas transmission pipelines, the system enables quick identification and location of potential hazards, reducing financial and human risks associated with gas transmission.

Details

Journal of Facilities Management , vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1472-5967

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 13 November 2007

112

Abstract

Details

Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, vol. 16 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-3562

Content available
Article
Publication date: 1 October 1999

52

Abstract

Details

Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, vol. 8 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-3562

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 1 April 2005

138

Abstract

Details

Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, vol. 14 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-3562

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