EFFECT OF ROOM SIZE ON EXTERNAL EXPLOSION INDUCED BY VENTED NATURAL GAS EXPLOSION

The computational fl uid dynamics technology was used to study the infl uence of the equivalent length-to-diameter (L/D) ratio of a room on the eff ects of natural gas explosions, and the distribution characteristics and scope of infl uence of internal and external explosion overpressures and high temperatures were analyzed. The results revealed that the internal maximum peak overpressure increased linearly with increase in the L/D ratio. As the L/D ratio increased, the external explosion overpressure and safety distance of overpressure hazards fi rst increased and then decreased, and the external explosion location gradually approached the vent. With increase in the L/D ratio, the range of external combustible gas clouds expanded, whereas the range of high-temperature areas gradually decreased. The range of external combustible gas clouds was negatively correlated with the range of the hightemperature areas. When the L/D ratio increased, the presence of large-scale obstacles reduced the growth rate of the indoor and outdoor maximum peak overpressure, but increased the range of high-temperature areas. 
The computational fl uid dynamics technology was used to study the infl uence of the equivalent length-to-diameter (L/D) ratio of a room on the eff ects of natural gas explosions, and the distribution characteristics and scope of infl uence of internal and external explosion overpressures and high temperatures were analyzed. The results revealed that the internal maximum peak overpressure increased linearly with increase in the L/D ratio. As the L/D ratio increased, the external explosion overpressure and safety distance of overpressure hazards fi rst increased and then decreased, and the external explosion location gradually approached the vent. With increase in the L/D ratio, the range of external combustible gas clouds expanded, whereas the range of high-temperature areas gradually decreased. The range of external combustible gas clouds was negatively correlated with the range of the hightemperature areas. When the L/D ratio increased, the presence of large-scale obstacles reduced the growth rate of the indoor and outdoor maximum peak overpressure, but increased the range of high-temperature areas. 
Author:  Kai Yang, Hao Wu, Lei Pang, Pengfei Lv, Jing Shen
Keywords:  natural gas, vented explosion, room size, external explosion, hazard
Page:  115