Gas Flammability Test

Purpose: Determine if a gas mixture is flammable

Steps: 1. Determine the Gas Composition (from user)
2. Determine the Gas Mixture lower flammablity using Le Chatelier's Rule - reference Bodur
3. Determine if the concentration of combustibles is greater than the lower flammability limit,
4. Determine if there is adequate oxygen present (MOC) to propagate a flame. This tests if

Step 1 & 2
Gas composition

% of Total
Combustible Component concentra LEL, % Combusti
Name tion, %vol vol ble
Carbon Monoxide 0.1 12.5 0.013889
Hydrogen 0.1 4 0.013889
Methane 5.5 5 0.763889
Ethylene 1.5 2.7 0.208333
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Total combustible 7.2

Non Combustible
Air 0 0 O2
CO2 80
N2 0
H2O 12.5
O2 0
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total non combustibles 92.5

Total (should be 100) 99.7

Step 4.
Usually organic combustible compounds will not propagate a flame if 02 in mixtures of
organic, inert gas, and air is below about 10.5 and 13% v/v with N2 and CO2 respectively, a
the inert gases.
 concentra
tion, %vol Formula C H
Carbon Monoxide 1.4 1
Hydrogen 1.4 0 2
Methane 76.4 1 4
Ethylene 20.8 2 4
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Total combustible
Minimum Oxygen Required
Safety factor
Oxygen Present 0.0 % v/v

Combustible Mixture ? no

Combustible Mixture ? no includes safety factor

 input
output

hatelier's Rule - reference Bodurtha; Industrial Explosion Prevention and Protection

than the lower flammability limit, if so it is a combustible mixture (if released into air or by itself)
propagate a flame. This tests if gas is combustible with no additional oxygen required

0.111111 Lower Flammability Limit, % vol 4.26 %

0.347222 Concentration of Combustibles 7.2 %
15.27778
7.716049 Step 3. Combustible Mixture? Yes
0
0 Note: Gases must have 'similar' flammability characteristics for
0 Le Chatelier's Rule to be applicable
0
0 Note: Composite Upper Flammabiliity may be calculated in
0 similar manner.
0
0

a flame if 02 in mixtures of
with N2 and CO2 respectively, as
O
1 0.006944
0 0.006944
0 1.527778
0 0.625
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2.166667
9.2 % v/v
30%
 Minimum Oxygen for Combustion (MOC)

Component N2-Air % v/v O2 CO2-Air % v/v O2 LEL

Acetone 13.5 15.5
Benzene 11 14
Butadiene 10 13
Butane 12 14.5
Carbon Disulfide 5 8
Carbon Monoxide 5.5 6 12.5
Diethyl Ether 10.5 13
Ethanol 10.58 13
Ethylene 10 11.5 2.7
Hydrogen 5 6 4
Hydrogen Sulfide 7.5 11.5
Isobutane 12 15
Methane 12 14.5 5
Methanol 10 13.5 6.7
Propane 11.5 14 2.2
Propylene 11.5 14

Notes:
ref Bodurtha who references NFPA standard 69 , Oct 1967

% v/v O2 is in mixtures of the combustible + inert gas + air. Values are for normal room temperature an
 O2 % error
Stoichiom Calculate from
Reaction C's H's O's etric d MOC measured
0 0 -100%
0 0 -100%
0 0 -100%
0 0 -100%
0 0 -100%
CO + 0.5 O2 -> CO2 1 0 1 0.5 6.25 14%
0 0 -100%
0 0 -100%
C2H2 2 2 0 2.5 6.75 -33%
H2 2 0.5 2 -60%
0 0 -100%
0 0 -100%
CH4 1 4 0 2 10 -17%
CH3OH 1 4 1 1.5 10.05 1%
C3H8 + 5O2 -> 3CO2 + 4H2O 3 8 0 5 11 -4%

Values are for normal room temperature and 101.325 kPa