Confined explosion of methane-air mixtures under turbulence

Abstract

In this study, a large-scale investigation of completely confined methane-air explosions was conducted in a 1-m3 spherical explosion chamber. The effects of turbulence and explosive powders on explosion parameters such as the deflagration index, maximum explosion pressure and burning velocity were examined. Theoretical calculations were conducted and are presented alongside the experimental data. The study suggests that the presence of turbulence increases the maximum explosion pressure. The values of the deflagration indices and burning velocities were found to be increased by the turbulence. The presence of an explosive powder provides similar effects to turbulence, and the values of the maximum explosion pressure, deflagration index and burning velocities increased with increases of the mass of the explosive powders. The magnitude of the turbulence generated in the explosion chamber was determined theoretically by employing Damköhler’s correlation.