Effect of side venting areas on the methane/air explosion characteristics in a pipeline. (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yu, Minggao; Wan, Shaojie; Zheng, Kai; Guo, Pinkun; Chu, Tingxiang; Wang, Chunyan
• Is Part Of: Journal of loss prevention in the process industries. Volume 54(2018)
• Page Start: 123
• Page End: 130
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: Loss prevention -- Methane explosion -- Side vent -- Explosion characteristic; Chemical industries -- Safety measures -- Periodicals; 660.2804
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jlp.2018.03.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-4230

Abstract

Abstract: To reduce the great losses caused by gas explosions in the gas transportation process and to improve the explosion venting efficiency in pipelines, a small pipeline with both a side vent and an end vent was developed, and premixed methane/air explosion characteristics were studied in the pipeline with different side venting areas. The experimental results show that in the same side venting position, with an increasing venting area, the propagation time for flames through the pipeline increases on a large scale, the peak overpressure of the methane explosion drops significantly, and the venting effect is greatly enhanced. Meanwhile, when the flame propagates upstream a side vent, the propagation can be slightly promoted by a side vent with a small area in the corresponding period of time, whereas a side vent with a large area can hinder the flame propagation all the time. After the flame passes the side vent, side venting plays a strong role in flame propagation, and the flame propagation velocity drops rapidly under a large side venting area. It is also found that overpressure in the vicinity of a side vent is less affected by the side venting area, while the effect of the venting area on overpressure is relatively large at a far distance from the side vent position. Highlights: With increasing side venting area, the venting effect is enhanced obviously. A pressure difference existed inside and outside the side vent affects the flame propagation. Flame propagation can be slightly promoted as it propagates upstream a side vent with a small area. A side vent affects flame propagation obviously as the flame propagates downstream the side vent. Overpressure in the vicinity of a side vent is less affected by the side vent area.