Prospects of using an aqueous medium in a metastable phase state to prevent combustible gas fires

Introduction. One of the main problems of the fire safety system of energy facilities is the prevention of combustible gas fires. An analysis of existing fire prevention systems showed low efficiency of their operation. In order to prevent combustible gas fires, the use of an aqueous medium in a metastable phase state is proposed in this work.

Purpose. Investigation of the characteristics of an aqueous medium in a metastable phase state to prevent combustible gas fires in closed volumes.

Objectives. An analysis of existing means of the gas fire prevention system. The calculations substantiate the possibility of using an aqueous medium in a metastable phase state to prevent fires of flammable gases in closed volumes. Modelling the process of phlegmatization of methane in a closed volume by an aqueous medium in a metastable phase state and determining the optimal parameters of its supply.

Materials and methods. The determination of the need to use a new means of preventing gas fires at energy facilities was justified using the method of analysis and synthesis. To substantiate the possibility of preventing methane fires in a closed volume, mathematical modelling based on the Pyrosim hardware and software complex was applied.

Theoretical bases. To calculate the minimum phlegmatizing concentration, Hess’s law and the theory of branched-chain combustion processes were applied.

Results and discussions. Based on the calculations performed, the number of technical means of supply for different degrees of room leakage was established. The required number of barrels depends linearly on the volume of the room. It is worth noting that when a certain leakage coefficient is reached, which will correspond to the supply of an aqueous medium in a metastable phase state to an open space, the number of barrels will take the maximum value for a given volume. Mathematical modelling has established that it is advisable to install devices for feeding an aqueous medium in a metastable phase state on the side surfaces, and the achievement of phlegmatizing concentrations occurs within 10 seconds from the moment of feeding.

Conclusions. The analysis method has established that the existing fire prevention systems are not effective enough, since in some cases they can cause a fire. A method for preventing fires of combustible gases by aqueous medium in a metastable phase state in closed volumes at energy facilities is proposed and theoretically substantiated. The calculation of the required number of technical means of supplying an aqueous medium in a metastable phase state, depending on the volume of the room and the leak coefficient, is performed. The use of the Pyrosim software and hardware complex confirmed the correctness of the calculations performed and allowed to establish the optimal method of supplying an aqueous medium in a metastable phase state to the volume of the engine room of the thermal power plant.

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