Influence of the opening pressure of explosion‐venting surface on methane deflagration characteristics in municipal sewage confined spaces

Abstract

AbstractThis study investigates the influence of the opening pressure of the explosion‐venting surface (EVS) of a vertical branch pipeline on the deflagration characteristics of methane at different concentrations. The results indicate that the increase in the opening pressure of the EVS promotes the accumulation of deflagration pressure in the horizontal pipeline, whereas the venting effect in the vertical branch pipeline attenuates the peak value of the deflagration pressure. The vertical branch pipeline has both “promoting” and “inhibiting” effects on the flame propagation speed in the horizontal pipeline. With an increase in the methane concentration and opening pressure of the EVS, the promoting effect gradually plays a dominant role, resulting in an increase in the flame propagation speed. In actual industrial production and daily life, in order to avoid explosion hazards, it is essential to install EVSs or reduce their opening pressure in a confined space.