Introduction to gas

explosions
 Introduction to
gas explosions
E-learning module
S. EGAN, HSE/PTS

Contents
What is a gas explosion?

Autoignition

Ignition

Definitions
Explosive limits
Corresponding temperatures
Ignition parameters

Effect of pressure on explosive limits

Effect of ignition energy on explosive limits

Explosivity characteristics of some common materials

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 What is a gas explosion ?
• A gas explosion is the release of chemical energy in a gas cloud

• Either combustion
• Fuel = H2, CH4, NH3 etc.
• Oxidant gas = O2, Cl2, NO2, N2O etc.

• Or decomposition of unstable gases especially :

• Nitrous oxide (N2O)
• Acetylene (C2H2)
• Ethylene oxide (C2H4 O)
• Tetrafluoroethylene (C2F4)

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What is a gas explosion ?

• Propagation by three mechanisms:

• Homogenous reaction (autoinflammation, cold flame)
• Flame propagation (deflagration)
• Reaction and pressure front propagation (detonation)

• Increase of temperature and pressure

• Inside equipment/building: confined gas explosion
• Common in residential buildings where natural gas is used
• Many examples inside chemical reactors etc. (see following modules)
• Outside equipment/building : Unconfined Vapour Cloud Explosion (UVCE)
• Examples : Flixborough UK (I974), Buncefield UK (2005).

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Autoignition

• Chemical reaction of combustion

• CH4 + 2 O2 CO2 + 2 H2O
• Exothermic : 803 kJ/mole CH4
• Temperature and pressure rise
• Reaction accelerates.
• No flame front
• Induction time = f (temperature)
• Instantaneous at AIT
• AIT Cyclohexane 244 C
• Induction time 15 mins at 190 C
• Induction time long near ambient
• No limits on composition
• Two examples:
• 1961 France: Explosion of cyclohexane oxidation reactor
• 1990’s USA: explosion of aircraft fuel tanks (TWA)

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Ignition
• Chemical reaction of combustion
• CH4 + 2 O2 CO2 + 2 H2O
• Exothermic : 803 kJ/mole CH4
• Ignition by local input of energy
• Local « temperature » > AIT
• Flame front propagates:
• Deflagration
• Detonation

• Heat balance must be positive

• Heat of reaction
• Radiation emitted by flame
• Heat absorbed by burnt gases

• Flammable zone

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 Explosive limits

[gaz or vapor] % vol.

UEL

Autoignition

LOC Ignition

Autoignition

LEL
0 10 21
O2/(O2+N2) % vol.
Air

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Definitions : explosive limits

• UPPER FLAMMABLE LIMIT (UFL) = UPPER EXPLOSIVE LIMIT (UEL)
• Maximum concentration of fuel for propagation of a flame front
• Standard conditions: air containing 21 % oxygen at 1 atmosphere and 20 °C
• Commonly stated as % volume [fuel]/[total] or g/m3

• LOWER FLAMMABLE LIMIT (LFL) = LOWER EXPLOSIVE LIMIT (LEL)

• Minimum concentration of fuel for propagation of a flame front
• Standard conditions: air containing 21 % oxygen at 1 atmosphere and 20 °C
• Commonly stated as % volume [fuel]/[total] or g/m3

• LIMITING OXIDANT CONCENTRATION = LOC

• Limiting or minimum concentration of the oxidant (most commonly oxygen)
in the atmosphere to allow the combustion of a given fuel. For a given fuel,
the LOC depends on the inert gas used (nitrogen, water vapor, carbon
dioxide, etc.).

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Definitions : temperature limits
• UPPER EXPLOSIVE POINT (UEP)
• Temperature where the saturated vapor concentration = UEL

• FLASH POINT – CLOSED CUP (FP)

• Minimum temperature at which the vapor above a liquid in a closed cup
propagates a flame.
• This is higher than but close to the Lower Explosive Point (LEP).

• LOWER EXPLOSIVE POINT (LEP)

• Temperature where the saturated vapor concentration = LEL
• Often taken as FP – 5 °C for pure compounds and FP – 15 °C for mixtures

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Definitions : ignition parameters

• AUTO-IGNITION TEMPERATURE = AIT

• Lowest temperature above which a given combustible can ignite
spontaneously at an optimal concentration in a given atmosphere
(generally : air)
• Also corresponds to the lowest temperature of a stable flame
• Measured at a scale of 200 ml and atmospheric pressure

• MINIMUM IGNITION ENERGY = MIE

• Lowest Energy of an electric spark able to ignite a mixture at the optimal
concentration of a given combustible in a given atmosphere (generally :
air)

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Explosivity characteristics – 1/5
At AIT the LEL approaches
Concentration 0 % and the LEL 100 %
Above AIT explosive limits
Partial pressure cannot be measured

UEL

Flammable Flammable Autoignition

aerosols gas mixtures

LEL

FP LEP UEP AIT Temperature

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Effect of pressure on explosive limits

• Above atmospheric pressure the limits widen
• Below atmospheric the limits narrow then dissappear

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Effect of ignition energy on explosive limits

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Explosivity caracteristics of common materials

Material LEL LEP FP UEL UEP MOC AIT MIE

% v/v g/m3 °C °C % v/v g/m3 °C % v/v °C mJ

Hydrogen 4 3 75 60 4.5 400 0.017

CO 12.5 143 74 850 5.5 605

CS2 1.3 40 -45 -30 50 1600 27 4.5 90 0.009

Methane 5 37 15 110 11.5 535 0.21

Methanol 7.3 90 +10 +11 36 440 9.5 460 0.14

Acetone 2.5 60 -18 -17 14.3 345 +8 11 535 1.15

Cyclohexane 1.0 35 -17 8.0 290 +15 244 0.22

Toluene 1.0 39 +1 +4 7.8 300 +40 530 0.24

Acetylene 2.5 27 100 860 300 0.017

Ammonia 16 110 25 170 650 680

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Explosivity caracteristics of common materials
Material LEL LEP FP UEL UEP MOC AIT MIE

% v/v g/m3 °C °C % v/v g/m3 °C % v/v °C mJ

Hydrogen 4 3 75 60 4.5 400 0.017

CO 12.5 143 74 850 5.5 605

CS2 1.3 40 -45 -30 50 1600 27 4.5 90 0.009

Methane 5 37 15 110 11.5 535 0.21

Methanol 7.3 90 +10 +11 36 440 9.5 460 0.14

Acetone 2.5 60 -18 -17 14.3 345 +8 11 535 1.15

Cyclohexane 1.0 35 -17 8.0 290 +15 244 0.22

Toluene 1.0 39 +1 +4 7.8 300 +40 530 0.24

Acetylene 2.5 27 100 860 300 0.017

Ammonia 16 110 25 170 650 680

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Explosivity caracteristics of common materials

Material LEL LEP FP UEL UEP LOC AIT MIE

% v/v g/m3 °C °C % v/v g/m3 °C % v/v °C mJ

Hydrogen 4 3 75 60 4.5 400 0.017

CO 12.5 143 74 850 5.5 605

CS2 1.3 40 -45 -30 50 1600 27 4.5 90 0.009

Methane 5 37 15 110 11.5 535 0.21

Methanol 7.3 90 +10 +11 36 440 9.5 460 0.14

Acetone 2.5 60 -18 -17 14.3 345 +8 11 535 1.15

Cyclohexane 1.0 35 -17 8.0 290 +15 244 0.22

Toluene 1.0 39 +1 +4 7.8 300 +40 530 0.24

Acetylene 2.5 27 100 860 300 0.017

Ammonia 16 110 25 170 650 680

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Explosivity caracteristics of common materials
Material LEL LEP FP UEL UEP MOC AIT MIE

% v/v g/m3 °C °C % v/v g/m3 °C % v/v °C mJ

Hydrogen 4 3 75 60 4.5 400 0.017

CO 12.5 143 74 850 5.5 605

CS2 1.3 40 -45 -30 50 1600 27 4.5 90 0.009

Methane 5 37 15 110 11.5 535 0.21

Methanol 7.3 90 +10 +11 36 440 9.5 460 0.14

Acetone 2.5 60 -18 -17 14.3 345 +8 11 535 1.15

Cyclohexane 1.0 35 -17 8.0 290 +15 244 0.22

Toluene 1.0 39 +1 +4 7.8 300 +40 530 0.24

Acetylene 2.5 27 100 860 300 0.017

Ammonia 16 110 25 170 650 680

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Explosivity caracteristics of common materials

Material LEL LEP FP UEL UEP MOC AIT MIE

% v/v g/m3 °C °C % v/v g/m3 °C % v/v °C mJ

Hydrogen 4 3 75 60 4.5 400 0.017

CO 12.5 143 74 850 5.5 605

CS2 1.3 40 -45 -30 50 1600 +27 4.5 90 0.009

Methane 5 37 15 110 11.5 535 0.21

Methanol 7.3 90 +10 +11 36 440 +40 9.5 460 0.14

Acetone 2.5 60 -18 -17 14.3 345 +8 11 535 1.15

Cyclohexane 1.0 35 -17 8.0 290 +15 244 0.22

Toluene 1.0 39 +1 +4 7.8 300 +40 530 0.24

Acetylene 2.5 27 100 860 300 0.017

Ammonia 16 110 25 170 650 680

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Explosivity caracteristics of common materials
Material LEL LEP FP UEL UEP MOC AIT MIE

% v/v g/m3 °C °C % v/v g/m3 °C % v/v °C mJ

Hydrogen 4 3 75 60 4.5 400 0.017

CO 12.5 143 74 850 5.5 605

CS2 1.3 40 -45 -30 50 1600 27 4.5 90 0.009

Methane 5 37 15 110 11.5 535 0.21

Methanol 7.3 90 +10 +11 36 440 9.5 460 0.14

Acetone 2.5 60 -18 -17 14.3 345 +8 11 535 1.15

Cyclohexane 1.0 35 -17 8.0 290 +15 244 0.22

Toluene 1.0 39 +1 +4 7.8 300 +40 530 0.24

Acetylene 2.5 27 100 860 300 0.017

Ammonia 16 110 25 170 650 680

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Explosivity caracteristics of common materials

Material LEL LEP FP UEL UEP MOC AIT MIE

% v/v g/m3 °C °C % v/v g/m3 °C % v/v °C mJ

Hydrogen 4 3 75 60 4.5 400 0.017

CO 12.5 143 74 850 5.5 605

CS2 1.3 40 -45 -30 50 1600 27 4.5 90 0.009

Methane 5 37 15 110 11.5 535 0.21

Methanol 7.3 90 +10 +11 36 440 9.5 460 0.14

Acetone 2.5 60 -18 -17 14.3 345 +8 11 535 1.15

Cyclohexane 1.0 35 -17 8.0 290 +15 244 0.22

Toluene 1.0 39 +1 +4 7.8 300 +40 530 0.24

Acetylene 2.5 27 100 860 300 0.017

Ammonia 16 110 25 170 650 680

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Explosivity caracteristics of common materials
Material LEL LEP FP UEL UEP MOC AIT MIE

% v/v g/m3 °C °C % v/v g/m3 °C % v/v °C mJ

Hydrogen 4 3 75 60 4.5 400 0.017

CO 12.5 143 74 850 5.5 605

CS2 1.3 40 -45 -30 50 1600 27 4.5 90 0.009

Methane 5 37 15 110 11.5 535 0.21

Methanol 7.3 90 +10 +11 36 440 9.5 460 0.14

Acetone 2.5 60 -18 -17 14.3 345 +8 11 535 1.15

Cyclohexane 1.0 35 -17 8.0 290 +15 244 0.22

Toluene 1.0 39 +1 +4 7.8 300 +40 530 0.24

Acetylene 2.5 27 100 860 300 0.017

Ammonia 16 110 25 170 650 680

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Explosivity caracteristics of common materials

Material LEL LEP FP UEL UEP MOC AIT MIE

% v/v g/m3 °C °C % v/v g/m3 °C % v/v °C mJ

Hydrogen 4 3 75 60 4.5 400 0.017

CO 12.5 143 74 850 5.5 605

CS2 1.3 40 -45 -30 50 1600 27 4.5 90 0.009

Methane 5 37 15 110 11.5 535 0.21

Methanol 7.3 90 +10 +11 36 440 9.5 460 0.14

Acetone 2.5 60 -18 -17 14.3 345 +8 11 535 1.15

Cyclohexane 1.0 35 -17 8.0 290 +15 244 0.22

Toluene 1.0 39 +1 +4 7.8 300 +40 530 0.24

Acetylene 2.5 27 100 860 300 0.017

Ammonia 16 110 25 170 650 680

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Explosivity caracteristics of common materials
Material LEL LEP FP UEL UEP MOC AIT MIE

% v/v g/m3 °C °C % v/v g/m3 °C % v/v °C mJ

Hydrogen 4 3 75 60 4.5 400 0.017

CO 12.5 143 74 850 5.5 605

CS2 1.3 40 -45 -30 50 1600 27 4.5 90 0.009

Methane 5 37 15 110 11.5 535 0.21

Methanol 7.3 90 +10 +11 36 440 9.5 460 0.14

Acetone 2.5 60 -18 -17 14.3 345 +8 11 535 1.15

Cyclohexane 1.0 35 -17 8.0 290 +15 244 0.22

Toluene 1.0 39 +1 +4 7.8 300 +40 530 0.24

Acetylene 2.5 27 100 860 300 0.017

Ammonia 16 110 25 170 650 680

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Explosivity caracteristics of common materials

Material LEL LEP FP UEL UEP MOC AIT MIE

% v/v g/m3 °C °C % v/v g/m3 °C % v/v °C mJ

Hydrogen 4 3 75 60 4.5 400 0.017

CO 12.5 143 74 850 5.5 605

CS2 1.3 40 -45 -30 50 1600 27 4.5 90 0.009

Methane 5 37 15 110 11.5 535 0.21

Methanol 7.3 90 +10 +11 36 440 9.5 460 0.14

Acetone 2.5 60 -18 -17 14.3 345 +8 11 535 1.15

Cyclohexane 1.0 35 -17 8.0 290 +15 244 0.22

Toluene 1.0 39 +1 +4 7.8 300 +40 530 0.24

Acetylene 2.5 27 100 860 300 0.017

Ammonia 16 110 25 170 650 680

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Summary

• In this module we saw

• the definition of a gas explosion,
• The definition of governing parameters for gas explosion,
• The explosivity characteristics of some common materials.

• In the following modules we will see :

• examples of gas explosions,
• effects of gas explosions,
• methods of prevention and protection.

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