Practical extension of ideal gas model for propane explosion simulation

Abstract

To estimate and model explosion pressure rise in closed volumes, industrial applications require a simple method. Ideal gas model is capable to assume pressure rise values to 10% above to initial pressure. However, most of the explosion venting devices opens higher than this pressure range. Extension of ideal gas model was carried out in this paper. Authors made some experimental studies in 20 L explosion sphere at ambient temperature and atmospheric initial pressure, with propane-air mixtures at different concentrations between 2.8 and 6.3 vol%. They measured pressure values inside the chamber during explosion and recorded at 9,600 Hz. Based on experimental studies, authors extended ideal gas model application range to 1.5 barg.