Test methods for determining explosion characteristics re-examined

Abstract

Detailed knowledge about the explosion indices is essential for safe and efficient operation. For optimal operation, explosion indices should be known under realistic process conditions, in other words under the prevailing temperature, pressure and turbulence levels of the process. The equipment described in this paper allows experiments to be carried out under actual process conditions within the following ranges: initial temperatures up to 400 °C, initial pressures up to 35 bar, oxygen enriched mixtures up to mixtures involving pure oxygen and under known and adjustable turbulence levels. The explosion indices can thus be determined under realistic conditions avoiding any uncertainties in extrapolation from data obtained under ambient conditions. Another major issue is to design proper safety measures. A typical example, involving the safe engineering of processes handling ethylene oxide, is illustrated with some preliminary experimental results.