Influence of length-diameter ratio and volume on hydrocarbon explosion overpressure characteristics in a closed square pipeline

In order to effectively predict and control the consequences of fuel-air mixture explosions in enclosed spaces and thereby reduce the casualties and property losses caused by accidents, the relationship between the explosive overpressure characteristics of fuel-air mixtures and the spatial scale of explosions was investigated. Closed square pipes with varying length-diameter ratios, volumes, and lengths were used to examine the impact of fuel-air mixture explosion overpressure characteristics by keeping the initial oil and gas concentration, ignition position, and ignition energy constant. The experimental results show that the rate of overpressure rise goes through three stages: a rapid increase period, a continuous oscillation period, and an attenuation termination period, which reveals the dynamic relationship between reaction rate and heat loss. The reduce of the nozzle area and the increase of the internal surface area of the pipeline can both lead to the decrease of the maximum overpressure, the average overpressure rise rate, the maximum overpressure rise rate, and the explosion power. The further analysis of the experimental results reveals that the change in the nozzle area will directly affect the flame front area and reaction rate, with a more direct and significant impact on the maximum overpressure. The changes in the inner surface area have a relatively indirect effect on the maximum overpressure by regulating energy transfer and heat loss. Additionally, pipeline length is a crucial factor affecting the time to reach the maximum overpressure. The increase of the pipeline length not only increases the heat loss but also delays the superposition time point of the reflected wave and the incident wave, with the energy of the reflected wave undergoing relative attenuation.