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Details of Grant 

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
Other Investigators:
Swithenbank, Professor J
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Chemical & Biological Engineering
Organisation: University of Sheffield
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 March 1999 Ends: 28 February 2001 Value (£): 112,131
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Fluid Dynamics Heat & Mass Transfer
Safety & Reliability of Plant
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
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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Organisation Website: http://www.shef.ac.uk