The overpressure and temperature characteristics of high volatile liquid fuel explosions in extreme environments: Effects of low initial ambient temperatures and pressures

Abstract

The explosion characteristics of petroleum ether-epoxy propane-air mixtures were studied in a 20 L spherical explosion vessel at low initial ambient temperatures (243–293 K) and absolute pressures (61.3–101.3 kPa). The effects of variations in single and coupled ambient conditions on the explosion pressure and temperature of high volatile liquid fuels were obtained through a series of experiments. The results showed that the peak explosion pressure and temperature were invertedly correlated with ambient temperature, and decreased with decreasing ambient pressure. Compared to ambient pressure, ambient temperature had a greater influence on explosion temperature, while ambient pressure had a greater influence on explosion pressure than ambient temperature. The variations of peak explosion pressure and temperature were more significant under the coupled effects of low temperature and pressure. Based on these results, the effects of low ambient temperature and pressure on the explosion characteristics of high volatile liquid fuels were systematically investigated, and a prediction model for peak explosion pressure and temperature was proposed.