Inerting characteristics of entrained atomized water on premixed methane–air flame

A combustion tube experiment platform was designed and used to study the inerting conditions and capacity of entrained atomized water on premixed methane–air flame. The structure of a laminar flame of premixed methane–air gas and the process of interaction between atomized water and flame was recorded, and the rules of combustion velocity, stability and strength rate of laminar flame were experimentally studied. The inerting process and mechanism was analyzed, and the characteristics of inerting premixed methane–air gas within explosion limits by atomized water were acquired. The research results show that: for the premixed methane–air gas with a concentration of 7%, the minimum inerting atomized water flux is 20.8 mL/(m2 min); for the premixed methane–air gas with a concentration of 9%, the minimum inerting atomized water flux is 32.9 mL/(m2 min); for the premixed methane–air gas with a concentration of 11%, the minimum inerting atomized water flux is 44.6 mL/(m2 min). The research results are significant for extinguishing methane flame and inhibiting of methane explosion using atomized water.