Explosion pressures of hydrocarbon–air mixtures in closed vessels

An experimental study on pressure evolution during closed vessel explosions of several gaseous fuel–air mixtures was performed, at various initial pressures within 0.3–1.2 bar and ambient initial temperature. Explosion pressures and explosion times are reported for methane–, n-pentane–, n-hexane–, propene–, butene–, butadiene–, cyclohexane– and benzene–air mixtures. The explosion pressures measured in a spherical vessel (Φ = 10 cm) and in three cylindrical vessels with different diameter/height ratios are examined in comparison with the adiabatic explosion pressures, computed by assuming chemical equilibrium within the flame front. The influence of initial pressure, fuel concentration and heat losses during propagation (determined by the size and shape of the explosion vessel and by the position of the ignition source) on explosion pressures and explosion times are discussed for some of the examined systems.