Experimental study on effect of venting area on premixed flammable gas explosion venting in linked vessels

Linked vessels explosion venting experiment was carried out in two different-volume spherical vessels connected by cylindrical pipes. Flame propagation and pressure development trend were studied under different venting areas. It is shown that flame accelerates during its propagation from the first vessel to the second vessel, but its speed is low compared with closed explosion's. Explosion pressure and maximum rate of pressure rise increase with the decrease of venting area. Both maximum pressure and maximum rate of pressure rise are greater than the values of single vessel explosion due to the effects of flame acceleration in pipe and pressure piling and the the effect is more obvious especially when small vessel is used as the second vessel. Results of this study indicate that explosion venting design standards, codes and guidance of single vessel can not be used for linked vessels.