Evaluation of propane explosion with applied water mist

Abstract

This article discusses the overpressure of a gas explosion and the performance of applying water mist for explosion suppression. According to the experimental results, the larger the opening area, the more difficult it is for pressure to accumulate, resulting in lower overpressure of a gas explosion. When the opening was opened under a high air speed environment, the amount of entrained air was greater. Consequently, the occurrence time of the explosion was shorter than at a low air speed. Despite the water mist nozzle being installed outside the enclosure, a propane gas explosion still occurred regardless of the amount of water mist used, failing to suppress the explosion. However, the water mist nozzle installed inside the enclosure supplied an adequate amount of water mist that could wash a part of the propane, resulting in the fuel concentration dropping below the lower explosion limit, hindering the occurrence of an explosion.