Experimental Study of the Shock Wave Attenuation in the Water Mist with Air Gaps

Abstract

The paper aims to propose ways for enhancing the effect of attenuating shock waves in the water mist. The fulfillment of this task can significantly contribute to the perfection of technologies for protecting from accidental explosions and the design of protective facilities. A series of experiments were carried out to investigate the influence of air gaps on shock wave attenuation in the water mist. A shock tube with hydraulic equipment capable of producing a 3-meter long dispersed water barrier with droplets ranging from 25 to 400 microns and total flow rate 14.5 l/s within a tube was used during testing. The paper analyzes shock wave attenuation within a tube in the water mist with and without air gaps. It has been established that in conditions when a 3-meter long water mist contains four air gaps, every 20 centimeters in width, overpressure reduction coefficient is 1.10-1.15 times higher than the one in the water mist without air gaps.