Explosion of gaseous ethylene-air mixtures in closed cylindrical vessels with central ignition

► Characteristic deflagration indices of ethylene-air were measured in cylindrical vessels. ► The deflagration indices are influenced by the asymmetry ratio L/D of each vessel. ► pmax and (dp/dt)max are linearly correlated with p0, in all closed vessels. ► The heat lost during flame propagation in asymmetrical vessels correlates with p0.