Effect of aluminum dust on flammability of gaseous epoxypropane in air

Through a series of experiments carried out in a 5 L confined vessel, the flammability of the gaseous epoxypropane/aluminum dust/air mixtures at various aluminum dust concentration has been analyzed, and the results are discussed. Variation of the aluminum dust concentration within the studied range was found to have significant effect on the LFLs (lower flammability limits) of gaseous epoxypropane in the hybrid mixtures. The LFL of gaseous epoxypropane is 2.1% (v/v) for the gaseous epoxypropane/air mixtures without aluminum dust. When the concentrations of aluminum dust are 70 g m−3, 80 g m−3, and 200 g m−3, the corresponding LFLs of gaseous epoxypropane are 1.4%, 1.1% and 0% (v/v) respectively. The combustion pressure of the hybrid mixtures reaches maximum at the volume fraction of gaseous epoxypropane of 7% or 15% (v/v) which is higher than stoichiometric volume fraction of gaseous epoxypropane in the gaseous epoxypropane/air mixtures. The combustion temperature of the hybrid mixtures reaches maximum at the volume fraction of gaseous epoxypropane of 7% (v/v).