An Analytical Evaluation of Fire and Explosion Characteristics of Ethylene

Dong-Myeong, Ha

Journal of Korean Institute of Fire Science and Engineering 2009;23(5):50-56.
Published online October 31, 2009.

에틸렌의 화재 및 폭발 특성치의 분석적 평가

하동명

세명대학교 보건안전공학과

An Analytical Evaluation of Fire and Explosion Characteristics of Ethylene

Ha Dong-Myeong

요약

폭발한계와 최소자연발화온도는 가연성 물질의 화재 및 폭발 위험성을 결정하는데 중요한 특성으로 이용된다. 에틸렌의 안전한 취급을 위해 에틸렌의 폭발한계와 최소자연발화온도를 고찰하였다. 에틸렌의 폭발하한계와 상한계는 공기 중에서 각 각 2.6vol%와 36vol%를 추천하며, 최소자연발화온도는 전면 가열인 경우는 $420^{circ}C$, 국소 고온표면인 경우는 약 $800^{circ}C$를 추천한다. 또한 에틸렌의 폭발한계의 온도 및 압력의 존성에 대한 새로운 예측식을 제시하였으며, 제시된 식에 의한 예측값은 문헌값과 일치하였다.

Abstract

Explosion limit and autoignition temperature are the major properties used to determine the fire and explosion hazards of the flammable substances. Explosion limit and autoignition temperature for safe handling of ethylene were investigated. By using the literatures data, the lower and upper explosion limits of ethylene recommended 2.6vol% and 36vol%, respectively. Also autoignition temperatures of ethylene with ignition sources recommended $420^{circ}C$ at the electrically heated crucible furnace (the whole surface heating) and recommended about $800^{circ}C$ in the local hot surface. The new equations for predicting the temperature dependence and the pressure dependence of the lower explosion limits for ethylene are proposed. The values calculated by the proposed equations were a good agreement with the literature data.

Key Words: Ethylene, Explosion limit, Autoignition temperature, Process safety