Experimental study on the inhibition of methane/air explosion by modified attapulgite powder

Abstract

In order to explore the influence of attapulgite powder on the methane explosion, a small-size semi-closed visual explosion experiment platform was built, and experiments were carried out. The effect of spraying powder on the whole process of methane explosion was studied when methane concentration was 7%, 8%, 9.5%, 11% and 12%, respectively. When the methane concentration was 11%, the maximum explosion overpressure dropped by modified spraying attapulgite powder was as high as 33.26%, and at the same time, the reduction rate of flame propagation velocity reached the maximum value of 36.65%. Furthermore, when the methane concentration was 9.5%, the experimental results when the powder spraying amount of modified attapulgite was 120 mg, 160 mg, 200 mg, 240 mg and 280 mg showed that when the powder spraying was 240 mg, the maximum explosive overpressure decreased by 33.14%, and the reduction rate of the peak flame propagation velocity reached the maximum value of 33.73%. Through the video images recorded by the high-speed camera, the flame structure, shape, color, etc. Were analyzed. The characterization analysis illustrated that the modified attapulgite powder has a small particle size, relatively large porosity and specific surface area. Also, it has a high weight loss rate. Combined with the results of characterization analysis, the explosion suppression mechanism of modified attapulgite powder was discussed. It was found that the modified attapulgite powder could effectively absorb the active free radicals generated in the explosion, and the modified new chemical components have a better thermal decomposition and endothermic effect and a better suppression of methane explosions.