EXPERIMENTAL STUDY AND NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF METHANE-AIR MIXTURE FORMATION PROCESS IN PREMISES

The most dangerous factor in the internal gas explosion is the overpressure, that can lead to the destruction of the building. Methane is the most widespread burnable gas in the oil and gas industry rooms. Usually, while performing explosion overpressure calculation, the most danger scenario is used when space is filled with stoichiometric concentration of air-gas mixture. In real accidents mixture may flame up at any moment that is why it will not be uniformly mixed. In this proceeding the process of explosive mixture formation at instantly ejection is considered. Methane concentrations at different levels have been experimentally estimated. The mathematical simulation by means of turbulent diffusion equation has been performed. The minimal turbulent diffusion coefficient has been determined as 5.2·10–3 m2
s at a vertical direction in immovable air at a temperature 25 °Ñ. Obtained empirical value turbulent diffusion coefficient present a good agreement ofexperimental and calculated data. The proposed method of distribution of methane in the premises enables numerical calculation of the methane amount turned into a dangerously explosive condition with time consideration, in the future determine value P.