CFD analysis and experimental study on the effect of oxygen level, particle size, and dust concentration on the flame evolution characteristics and explosion severity of cornstarch dust cloud deflagration in a spherical chamber

Abstract

To clarify the effect and mechanism of oxygen supply, particle size, and dust concentration on the flame propagation behaviours and explosion characteristics of cornstarch dust cloud, a 3D numerical simulation for simulating the explosion process of cornstarch dust cloud were conducted and verified with experimental data using a 20-L sphere. Next, flame behaviours and explosion parameters under different conditions were investigated using numerical calculation and experimental observation. Results revealed that: flame propagation during the whole explosion process can be divided into four various stages according to the CFD simulation. Temperature fluctuation, dust agglomeration, and three different zones can be distinguished from the flame configuration. Oxygen supply, particle size, and dust concentration pose different impact trends to the initial flame behaviours and explosion parameters. The flame length varied linearly over time while oscillation phenomenon can be found in flame velocity at both the horizontal and vertical directions.