Comparison of empirical and semi-empirical equations for vented gas explosion with experimental data

• Paper is aimed to find a formula with the widest application or to recommend suitable formulas for use in a given condition.
• A set of 34 equations and 373 experimental data for equationś evaluation was created based on literature research.
• Data found was measured during experiments conducted in 4 geometries: cubical, cylindrical, rectangular and spherical.
• 7 flammable gases (ethylene, methane, propane, town gas, acetone, hydrogen and natural gas) we used in the experiments.
• The most suitable equations for each particular geometry and gas as well as the most universal formula were pointed out.

The aim of the work was to find an equation with the widest application or to recommend suitable equations to be used for a given condition. A set of 34 equations and 373 experimental data for equations' evaluation was created based on a literature research. For various reasons (unknown constants or parameters, unclear description of calculation, etc.), it was possible to evaluate only 16 equations out of 34 equations.Maximum overpressures were calculated using selected formulas for each experimental set-up. Each particular result of the calculation was divided by the corresponding value measured in the given experiment. A scoring system for these calculated ratios was proposed to be able to evaluate the quality of the calculation. An average value of the ratio together with minimal and maximal values of the ratio was graded. The sum of the grades provided a relative value to be compared.The contribution presents the results of 10 equations' evaluation, pointing out the most universal equation, together with the most suitable equations for a given geometry, gas and combination of both.