Understanding Explosions

by Crowl, Daniel A.

• ISBN13: 9780816907793
• ISBN10: 081690779X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-07-15
• Publisher: Wiley-AIChE

Summary

There are many different types of explosions, each with its own complex mechanism. Understanding explosions is important in preventing them. This reference provides valuable information on explosions for everyone involved in the operation, design, maintenance, and management of chemical processes, helping enhance understanding of the nature of explosions and the practical methods required to prevent them from occurring. The text includes: - Fundamental basis for explosions, - Explosive and flammable behavior and characteristics of materials, - Different types of explosions, - Fire and explosion hazard recognition, - Practical methods for preventing explosions or minimizing the potential consequences, and - Additional references. This book provides a practical understanding of explosion fundamentals, including the different types of explosions, the explosive and flammable behavior of materials, and the hazards related to fires and explosions. It also discusses practical methods to prevent and minimize the probability and consequence of an explosion during routine use of flammable, combustible and/or reactive materials.

Author Biography

Daniel A. Crowl is the author of Understanding Explosions, published by Wiley.

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Accident Loss History

The Accident Process (AIChE, 2000)

A Case History-Flixborough, England

Hazard Identification and Evaluation

Inherently Safer Design

Fundamentals of Fires and Explosions

Gases and Vapors

Flammability Diagram

Estimating Flammability Limits

Temperature Effect on Flammability

Pressure Effect on Flammability

Flammability of Gaseous Mixtures

Minimum Ignition Energies

Autoignition Temperature

Example Applications

Liquids

Flashpoints of Mixtures of Liquids

Example Applications

Aerosols and Mists

Dusts

Hybrid Mixtures

Kinetics and Thermochemistry

Calculated Adiabatic Flame Temperatures (CAFT)

Example Application

Gas Dynamics

Detonations and Deflagrations

Estimating Peak Side-on Overpressures

Example Applications

Pressure Piling and Deflagration to Detonation Transition

Physical Explosions

BLEVEs

Rapid Phase Transition Explosions

Vapor Cloud Explosions

TNT Equivalency

TNO Multi-Energy Method

Baker-Strehlow-Tang Method (AIChE, 1999a)

Computational Fluid Mechanics (CFD) Method

Example Applications

Runaway Reactions

Steady-State and Dynamic Reactor Behavior

Experimental Characterization

Condensed Phase Explosions

Fireballs, Pool, Flash, and Jet Fires

Explosion Effects

Thermal Exposure

Overpressure Exposure

Ignition Sources

Static Electricity

Prevention and Mitigation of Explosions

Additional References

Inherently Safer Design

Using the Flammability Diagram to Avoid Flammable Atmospheres

Inerting and Purging

Vacuum Purging

Pressure Purging

Combined Pressure-Vacuum Purging

Sweep Purging

Siphon Purging

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Various Interting Procedures

Inert Gas Blanketing of Storage Vessels

Inert Purging and Blanketing during Drumming Operations

Example Application

Explosion Venting

Grounding and Bonding

Ventilation

Sprinkler and Deluge Systems

Charging and Drumming Flammable Liquids

Example Application

Charging Powders

Electrical Equipment in Hazardous (Classified) Areas

Protection Techniques

Detailed Equations for Flammability Diagrams

Equations Useful for Gas Mixtures

Equations Useful for Placing Vessels Into and Out of Service

Equation for Determining the Energy of Explosion

Example Application

Flammability Data for Selected Materials

Procedure for Example 3.2

Combustion Data for Dust Clouds

References

Glossary

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.