doi:10.3850/978-981-08-7724-8_10-01

ABSTRACT

A parametric set of vented explosion experiments for three mixtures, stoichiometric propane-air, methane-air and 18.0 vol.% hydrogen-air were performed. The three mixtures each displayed various physical phenomena and behaviours and their similarities and differences were identified. A physics-based CFD model was developed using a small subset of the experimental data. The model takes into account the effect of turbulence, flame instabilities and the Rayleigh-Taylor instability on flame propagation and pressure generation. For cases dominated by a pressure transient associated with the external explosion, the results of the simulations show good agreement between experimental and numerical results for all three mixtures, typically within the experimental uncertainty of the experiments. Further work remains on improving the model, however, particularly to account for the pressure transient generated during structure-acoustic interactions.

Keywords: Venting, Gas explosions, Instabilities, Rayleigh-taylor instability.

© 2011 CPD Unit, University of Leeds