Experimental investigation on the explosion limits of diethyl ether spray near boiling point temperatures

Abstract

Assessing explosion danger for flammable liquids with low boiling points that may form the spray due to leakage during production, storage, and transportation requires further refinement. The present study aims to investigate the explosion limits of diethyl ether (DEE) in a 20-L spherical vessel at various material and air temperatures ranging from 298.15 K to 323.15 K. The influence of material and air temperatures on the explosion limits of DEE was examined separately as individual factors and in combination. The results showed that the effect of material or air temperature on the upper explosion limit (UEL) was significant over the altered temperature range, while the impact on the lower explosion limit (LEL) was relatively minor. Upon combining the effects of material and air temperatures, the UEL was more significantly influenced by the air temperature, particularly at high air temperatures. However, the impact of material temperatures on the UEL was more pronounced at low air temperatures. Overall, the explosion limits exhibited a linear relationship with the initial temperature (general term for temperatures at which the material temperature equals the air temperature), except for the vicinity of the boiling point. Meanwhile, a quantitative analysis of the explosion limit and its range was conducted to assess the spray explosion hazard. The explosion hazard of DEE spray was found to be relatively higher near the boiling point of DEE.