An analysis of peak overpressures in vented gaseous explosions

Experimental data from vented explosion tests using stoichiometric methane-air and 18% hydrogen-air mixtures in a 63.7 m(3) chamber with a 2.7 or 5.4 m(2) vent are presented. Results from experiments conducted using stoichiometric propane-air in 2.42 m(3) vessel with a 0.26 m(2) vent are also reported. The tests were focused on the effect of fuel, enclosure size, ignition location, vent size, and obstacles on the pressure development of a propagating flame in a vented enclosure. The dependence of the maximum pressure generated on the experimental parameters was analyzed. It was found that the pressure maxima may be caused by pressure transients controlled by the interplay of the maximum-flame area, the burning velocity, and the overpressure generated by an external explosion. A simple model was proposed to estimate the maximum pressure for each of the main pressure transients. The model was found to agree with the experimental data within the experimental uncertainty. (C) 2010 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.