Experimental and LES Studies of Propane–air Premixed Gases in Pipelines Containing Mixed Obstacles

Document Type : Regular Article

Authors

1 School of Petrochemical Engineering & Environment, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, 316022, China

2 School of Naval Architecture & Maritime, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, 316022, China

3 National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Harbor Oil & Gas Storage and Transportation Technology, Zhoushan, 316022, China

4 Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Environmental Pollution Control, Zhoushan, 316022, China

5 Sinochem Zhoushan Hazardous Chemicals Emergency Rescue Base CO, LTD, Zhoushan 316021, China

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of a mixed obstacle layout on the deflagration mechanism of propane–air premixed gases. Most previous studies focused on a single type of obstacle, changing the shape and number of the obstacles to observe the effect on the flame deflagration characteristics. However, in real explosion accident sites, obstacles are often a mixture of different types. Little literature exists on the deflagration characteristics of hybrid barriers in semi-confined spaces. In this paper, the deflagration characteristics of propane-air premixed gas with a mixed structure of hurdles and square obstacles was studied. First, the effectiveness of numerical simulations was demonstrated by comparing experimental and large eddy simulation (LES) results for the flame dynamics with a single flat plate obstacle. Based on this, the flame behavior for different layouts of square obstacles in a mixed obstacle configuration was further simulated using the large eddy simulation method, focusing on the flame behavior, overpressure characteristics, and flow field structure in the vicinity of the obstacle. The results showed that a mixed obstacle promoted flame evolution more than a single obstacle when the square obstacle was within a critical distance from the ignition source location at the same moment in time. When the flame front crossed the first hurdle-type obstacle, the flame pattern spread in a “cat’s paw” pattern to the unburned portion of the tube. In addition, the increased distance of the square obstacle from the ignition source did not allow the peak overpressure and the peak rate of overpressure rise to show a positive feedback mechanism. Finally, the strength of the vorticity in the flow field was positively correlated with the distance of the square obstacle from the ignition source. The results of study provide theoretical for the prevention of explosions.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Applied Fluid Mechanics
Volume 17, Issue 9 - Serial Number 89
September 2024
Pages 1938-1954

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History

  • Received: 03 January 2024
  • Revised: 10 March 2024
  • Accepted: 19 March 2024
  • Available online: 02 July 2024

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