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On the Second Explosion Limits of Hydrogen, Methane, Ethane, and Propane
Jie Liu1, Ruiguang Yu1, Biao Ma1
1Department of Power Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, P. R. China.
ACS Omega
|August 11, 2020
Summary
This study numerically simulates explosion limits for fuels from hydrogen to propane, revealing how carbon number affects transition points. Key reactions controlling second explosion limits vary significantly with fuel type.
Area of Science:
- Combustion science
- Chemical kinetics
- Computational fluid dynamics
Background:
- Understanding fuel explosion limits is crucial for safety and process design.
- Previous studies have explored explosion limits, but detailed analysis of transition behaviors and underlying kinetics is ongoing.
- The influence of fuel composition and carbon number on explosion limit curves requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate explosion limit behaviors for fuels ranging from hydrogen to propane.
- To examine the impact of fuel carbon number on the shape and transition points of explosion limit curves.
- To analyze the elementary reactions governing the second explosion limit using sensitivity analysis.
Main Methods:
- Numerical simulations were employed to model explosion limit behaviors.
- Simulations were validated against available experimental data for accuracy.
- Sensitivity analysis was conducted to identify key elementary reactions influencing second explosion limits.
Main Results:
- Explosion limit curves and transition points (P1-2, T1-2 and P2-3, T2-3) were characterized as a function of fuel carbon number.
- Increasing methane mole fraction in hydrogen/methane mixtures showed specific effects on turning points.
- The slope of the second explosion limit was found to be inversely proportional to the carbon number.
- Chain reactions significant for hydrogen had minimal impact on methane's second explosion limit.
- C2H5O2H decomposition dominated the second explosion limit behavior of C2H6, while propane's behavior involved three reaction sets.
Conclusions:
- The study provides insights into the complex explosion limit behaviors of various fuels.
- Fuel carbon number significantly influences the characteristics of second explosion limits.
- Specific elementary reactions are critical for understanding the non-monotonic behavior of second explosion limits in different fuels.
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