Numerical analysis of the distribution of combustion products from methane explosions in a full-scale tunnel using all-speed CFD code GASFLOW-MPI

Abstract

ABSTRACT Methane explosions are among the main hazards in coal mines. Shock waves from methane explosions can cause damage near the explosion site, and combustion products can spread along the tunnel to locations far from the explosion source and endanger the lives and health of personnel. Therefore, the study of the propagation patterns of methane explosion shock waves and the distribution of high-temperature combustion products in tunnels. has significance for emergency decision-making in the event of methane explosions in a mine. This study uses the 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) program GASFLOW-MPI, which models the one-step methane combustion mechanism with the addition of a heat transfer model. The methane explosion process is simulated and reproduced at the Lake Lynn Experimental Mine (LLEM) to analyze the process of gas deflagration. The results reveal that the overpressure in the tunnel after the methane explosion oscillates and decays with time. Gaseous products of the explosion “expand and compress” and flow back and forth in accordance with the oscillation of overpressure. The maximum expansion ratio of the CO2 concentration isosurfaces of 0.5% in the heat transfer simulation is 6.21, whereas the volume expansion ratio is 3.78 once the flow field stabilizes. The distribution of combustion products along the alleyway exhibits a Gaussian decay trend. The range of gaseous product distribution and temperature fields in the adiabatic tunnel is significantly higher than that in the heat transfer simulations, thus indicating that heat loss significantly influences the temperature characteristics and distribution pattern of combustion products in the full-scale tunnel.