Numerical analysis on propagation characteristics of methane/air explosion in elbow pipe and pipe network

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study propagation characteristics of methane explosion in the pipe network and analyze the propagation laws of methane explosion wave along the elbow pipe and pipe network.

Design/methodology/approach

Numerical simulation using software package AutoReaGas, a finite-volume computational code for fluid dynamics suitable for gas explosion and blast problems, is adopted to simulate the propagation characteristics of methane explosion and the property of flow field in complex structures.

Findings

Due to reflection effects of corners of elbow pipe, the peak overpressures at corner locations in the elbow pipe go about two times higher than that in the straight pipe. In the parallel pipe network, the peak overpressure increases significantly at the intersection point, while the flame speed decreases at the junction. All these indicate that pipe corners and bifurcations could substantially enhance explosion partly which can bring more severe damage at the corner area. The explosion violence is strengthened after flames and blast waves are superimposed, such that equipments and people in these areas need special strengthening protection.

Originality/value

The numerical results presented in this paper may provide some useful guidance for the design of the underground laneway structures and to take protective measures at corners and bifurcations in coal mines.

Citation

Ma, Q., Zhang, Q. and Chen, J. (2014), "Numerical analysis on propagation characteristics of methane/air explosion in elbow pipe and pipe network", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 24 No. 7, pp. 1610-1623. https://doi.org/10.1108/HFF-06-2013-0191