| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/M36502/01 |
| Title: |
A THEORETICAL AND FIELD-SCALE EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF THE SUPPRESSION OF GAS EXPLOSIONS BY WATER FILMS |
| Principal Investigator: |
Ewan, Dr B |
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| Department: |
Chemical & Biological Engineering |
| Organisation: |
University of Sheffield |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 March 1999 |
Ends: |
28 February 2001 |
Value (£): |
112,131
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Fluid Dynamics |
Heat & Mass Transfer |
| Safety & Reliability of Plant |
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| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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General area fire deluge is currently a research focus for the offshore industry, and the Health and Safety Executive, as a practical way of suppressing explosions in offshore modules. The technique has limitations, however, not least that it requires rapid flame acceleration to occur, with consequent sharp pressure rise, for the spray droplets to break up, and in addition, the spray turbulence enhances the initial flame speed. Here it is proposed to research an apparently novel method which would overcome all the limitations with fire spray deluge.The technique would employ water films, either stagnant or flowing over the surfaces of obstacles, which would be atomised by the explosion blast wind. Calculations have established that by arranging the films so that the droplets are dispersed throughout the full cross-section of the module, suppression can be achieved immediately the flame traverses the system. It is proposed to conduct a combination of field-scale experiments and mathematical modelling in which the water film dynamics, atomisation, dispersal and subsequent interaction with the flame are both characterised and modelled. The fundamental understanding obtained will provide the means of scaling-up to the full size systems.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.shef.ac.uk |