An investigation of hydrogen/methane premixed flame propagation in a tube with copper foam

ABSTRACT

In this paper, the influence of hydrogen volume fraction, pore size and layer number of foam copper on the explosion characteristics of hydrogen/methane premixed gas is discussed with the help of a self-built premixed gas explosion experimental platform. The volume fraction of hydrogen in the fuel is delineated as 0, 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%. The pore diameters (Pd) of copper foam are Pd≈2.0 mm, Pd≈1.0 mm, and Pd≈0.5 mm, respectively, with three layers of foam copper for each pore diameter and a total of 45 sets of experiments are conducted. The experimental results show that the copper foam material has a significant hindering effect on the propagation of premixed hydrocarbon flame. As the hydrogen volume fraction gradually increases, the hindering effect of copper foam on the premixed flame gradually attenuates and can even promote flame development. The pore diameters of copper foam play a dominant role in the stability of flame behavior. The flame that can be halted during the propagation process is also mainly determined by the copper foam pore diameters. The number of copper foam layers does not determine the propagation state of the flame but only produces a greater degree of suppression or promotion of the flame once the propagation state has changed.

KEYWORDS:

• Hydrogen
• methane
• premixed flame
• copper foam
• quenching

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Science and Technology Research Program of Chongqing Municipal Education Commission [Grant No.KJQN202101503]; Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing (CN) [No.cstc2019jcyj-msxmX0324]. Thanks.

Notes on contributors

Yulong Duan

Yulong Duan Doctor, School of safety engineering, Chongqing University of science and technology, Shapingba District, Chongqing 401331. Dr. Duan's main research fields include the theory and technology of hydrocarbon dynamic explosion and industrial medium deflagration disaster prevention. Dr. Duan has studied gas explosion for a long time and has a deep understanding of the propagation theory of premixed gas explosion.

Fengying Long

Fengying Long, School of safety engineering, Chongqing University of science and technology, Shapingba District, Chongqing 401331. Fengying Long's main research fields include the theory and technology of oil-gas dynamic explosion and industrial medium deflagration disaster prevention, and is familiar with the theoretical knowledge and experimental phenomena of gas explosion.

Shuo Wang

Shuo Wang, School of safety engineering, Chongqing University of science and technology, Shapingba District, Chongqing 401331. Shuo Wang is mainly engaged in the study of hydrodynamics, fire and explosion evolution mechanism in safety engineering, and has an in-depth understanding of premixed gas explosion propagation theory.

Hongfu Mi

Hongfu Mi (Associate Professor) Doctor, School of safety engineering, Chongqing University of science and technology, Shapingba District, Chongqing 401331. Dr. Mi is mainly engaged in the research and teaching of fluid mechanics, fire and explosion evolution mechanism in safety engineering. Dr. Mi has a deep understanding of the theory of premixed gas explosion propagation.