Simulation of flame acceleration in unconfined vapor cloud explosions
Abstract
The feasibility of numerical simulation in accident and safety analysis of unconfined vapor cloud explosions, and simulation of flame acceleration phenomenon from published data of experiments were studied. Two explosion experiments were simulated with the PHOENICS-code. The flame acceleration, mainly due to the enhanced combustion from turbulence generation at obstacles in the flow regime, can be simulated. The computation gives correct order of magnitude for the maximum overpressure in both explosions, of which one was weak and the other strong. The differences between the computed results and experiments are discussed and suggestions on how to improve the simulation model are given. More simulations of explosions and detailed experimental information of the initial conditions and development of the explosions are needed before simulations can reliably be used in accident and safety analysis.
- Publication:
-
NASA STI/Recon Technical Report N
- Pub Date:
- August 1985
- Bibcode:
- 1985STIN...8617698K
- Keywords:
-
- Acceleration (Physics);
- Computerized Simulation;
- Feasibility Analysis;
- Flame Propagation;
- Gas Explosions;
- Vapor Phases;
- Accident Investigation;
- Computer Systems Programs;
- Overpressure;
- Safety Factors;
- Turbulent Flow;
- Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer