Transmission of an explosion between linked vessels

• Published in: Fire safety journal Vol. 38; no. 2; pp. 147 - 163
• Main Authors: Razus, Domnina, Oancea, D., Chirila, F., Ionescu, N.I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2003; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Building technical equipments; Buildings; Buildings. Public works; Deflagration; Exact sciences and technology; Explosion; Fire behavior of materials and structures; Fire protection; Linked vessels; Pressure oscillations; Pressure piling; Propylene; Propylene; Linked vessels; Explosion; Pressure piling; Deflagration; Pressure oscillations; Small scale; Ignition; Transmission; Pressure distribution; Pressure vessel; Model study; Explosions; Flame propagation; Propene; Delay time
• ISSN: 0379-7112
• DOI: 10.1016/S0379-7112(02)00053-X

Small scale experiments on explosion transmission through a narrow cylindrical tube (diameter: 3.0–8.3 mm) between two cylindrical vessels were performed, using a stoichiometric C 3H 6/air mixture at various initial pressures within the range 20–120 kPa. The successful explosion transmission between the linked vessels occurred above a critical initial pressure, which increases when the tube diameter decreases. The critical pressure of transmission measured for upward flame propagation is lower than the one for downward propagation, at each value of the tube diameter. Different patterns of pressure evolution were observed for upward and downward flame propagation. The influence of the tube diameter and initial pressure on the characteristic features of explosion evolution in each vessel (the peak pressures, the maximum rates of pressure rise and the time delay between ignition in the primary and secondary vessel) are discussed.