Automation of physical experiments regarding explosions of air-methane mixtures

National Institute for Research & Development in Mine Safety and Protection to Explosion – INSEMEX Petroşani, 32-34 G-ral. V. Milea Street, Romania

^* Corresponding author: bogdan.simon@insemex.ro

Abstract

In the following study, experimental results are obtained from an automated stand. With the help of this experimental stand, visualization techniques such as Schlieren and Shadowgraph can be applied, to study the flame front propagation of air and inflammable gas mixtures initiation. In parallel, an infrared sensor was used to control a push-pull solenoid to open the gas escape diaphragm of the stand. To obtain the explosive gas mixture at various concentrations (between the lower explosion limit and the upper explosion limit) an original programmable mixer was used, based on computational algorithms for accurate control of stepper motors which allow attainment of air and inflammable gas flows in order to achieve a homogeneous and continuous mixture at the desired concentration. The performed experiments allow for a better understanding of the flame front production and propagation, facilitating the knowledge and optimization of the operating times from the reduction mechanisms for reducing the effects of explosions of the flammable gas-air mixtures.