Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Simplified Modeling of Deflagration in Vessels

  • Published:
KSME International Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A simplified method that models the deflagration process occurring in closed or vented vessels is described. When combustion occurs within the spherical or cylindrical vessels, the flame moves spherically or segmentally to the vessel periphery. The volume and area of each element along the propagating flame front are calculated by using simple geometrical rules. For instabilities and turbulence resulting in enhanced burning rates, a simple analysis results in reasonable agreement with the experimental pressure transients when two burning rates (a laminar burning rate prior to the onset of instability and an enhanced burning rate) were used. Pressure reduction caused by a vent opening at predetermined pressure was modeled. Parameters examined in the modeling include ignition location, mixture concentration, vented area, and vent opening pressure. It was found that venting was effective in reducing the peak pressure experienced in vessels. The model can be expected to estimate reasonable peak pressures and flame front distances by modeling the enhanced burning rates, that is, turbulent enhancement factor.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

A :

Surface area

A υ :

Vent area

C D :

Outflow coefficient

D :

Diameter

H :

Enthalpy

L :

Length

m :

Mass

p :

Pressure

R :

Distance to the flame front, R2=s2+r2

r :

Distance to the flame front touched at the wall

St :

Turbulent burning velocity

Su :

Laminar burning velocity

s:

Radius of cylinder or sphere

T :

Temperature

t :

Time

V :

Volume

α, β:

Empirical parameters

λ:

Specific heat ratio

ρ:

Gas density

φ:

Turbulent correction factor

ϕ:

Equivalence ratio

ν:

Mole fraction

ξ:

Heat formation

b, u :

Burned/unburned gas state

υ:

Vented gas state

o :

Standard gas state

f :

Flame state

References

  • Bradley, D. and Mitchenson A., 1976, “Mathematical Solutions for Explosions in Spherical Vesels,”Combustion and Flame, Vol. 26, p. 210.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bradley, D. and Mitchenson A., 1978a, “The Venting of Gaseous Explosions in Spherical Vessels I,”Combustion and Flame, Vol. 32, p. 221.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bradley, D. and Mitchenson A., 1978b, “The Venting of Gaseous Explosions in Spherical Vessels II,”Combustion and Flame, Vol. 32, p. 237.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Canu, P., Rota, R. Carra, S., and Morbidelli, M., 1990, “Vented Gas Deflagrations ; A Detailed Mathematical Model Tuned on a Large Set of Experimental Data,”Combustion and Flame, Vol. 80, p. 49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Canu, P., Rota, R., Carra, S. and Morbidelli, M., 1991, “Vented Gas Deflagration Modeling: A Simplified Approach,”Combustion and Flame, Vol. 85, p. 319.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chatrathi, K., 1992, “Deflagration Protection of Pipes,”Plant/operation Progress, Vol. 11–2, p. 116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chippett, S., 1984, “Modeling of Vented Deflagrations,”Combustion and Flame, Vol. 55, p. 127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cousins, E. W. and Cotton, P. E., 1951, “Design Closed Vessels to Withstand Internal Explosions,”Chemical Engineering, Aug., p. 133

  • Epstein, M., Swift, I. and Fauske, H. K., 1986, “Estimation of Peak Pressure for Sonic-Vented Hydrocarbon Explosions in Spherical Vessels,”Combustion and Flame, Vol. 66, p. 1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fairwfather, M. and Vasey, M. W., 1982, “A Mathematical Model for the Prediction of Overpressures Generated in Totally Confined and Vented Explosions,”19 th Symposium International on Combustion, The Combustion Institute, p. 645.

  • Gardiner Jr., W. C., 1984,Combution Chemistry, Springer-Verlag, New York.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Garforth, A. M., 1976, “Unburnt Gas Density Measurement in a Spherical Combustion Bomb by Infinite-Fringe Laser Interferometry,”Combustion and Flame, Vol. 26, p. 343.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garforth, A. M., and Rallis, C. J., 1978, “Laminar Burning Velocity of Stoichiometric Methane-Air: Pressure and Temperature Dependence,”Combustion and Flame, Vol. 31, p. 53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seo, S., 2003, “Combustion Instability Mechanism of a Lean Premixed Gas Turbine Combustor,”KSME International Journal, Vol. 17, p. 906

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Takeno, T. and Iijima, T., 1979, “Theoretical Study of Nonsteady Flame Propagation in Closed Vessels,”AIAA, Aug., Vol. 119, p. 578.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yun, K., Lee, S. and Sung, N., 2002, “A Study of the Propagation of Turbulent Premixed Flame Using the Flame Surface Density Model in a Constant Volume Combustion Chamber,”KSME International Journal, Vol. 16, p. 564

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Kookmin University, 861-1, Chongnung-dong, Songbuk-gu, 136-702, Seoul, Korea

    Joon Hyun Kim & Joo-Hyun Kim

Authors
  1. Joon Hyun Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Joo-Hyun Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joo-Hyun Kim.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kim, J.H., Kim, JH. Simplified Modeling of Deflagration in Vessels. KSME International Journal 18, 1338–1348 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02984248

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02984248

Key Words

Search

Navigation