Size effect of methane-air mixture explosion intensity in spherical vessels and pipelines

Size effect on explosion intensity of methane-air mixture in spherical vessels and pipes was investigated. The experimental results suggested diameter of the spherical vessel, the length of connection pipes of single vessel and the length of connection pipes between two spherical vessels played a great role in explosion intensity of methane-air mixture in spherical vessels and pipes. The maximum explosion pressure and the maximum rate of pressure rise in single vessel with connection pipes both decrease due to the increase of the length of connection pipes. And the maximum explosion pressure and the maximum rate of pressure rise appeared at the end of connection pipes. For linked vessels, the explosion intensity in secondary vessel increased with the increasing of the length of connection pipes with linear relationships. The conclusions provided important reference for safety design of explosion venting and explosion resistance.