Studies on the explosions of propylene and acrolein mixed with oxygen or air

Abstract

The explosion limits of propylene mixed with oxygen or air are determined at reduced pressures and at high pressures (up to 15kg/cm^2) by the admission method. By the same method, those of acrolein mixed with oxygen or air are determined at reduced pressures. As to the propylene mixed with oxygen, the minimum explosion temperatures at any constant reduced pressures are shown by mixtures of 30～40% of propylene, but at high pressures by those of 30～70% of propylene. On the mixtures of propylene or acrolein rich in oxygen or air, the explosion peninsulas are observed at reduced pressures. The induction periods are measured and it is found that the periods inside the explosion peninsula are much longer than those outside the peninsula. As to the mixture of propylene (50%) mixed with oxygen, the cool flame regions are determined. The addition of nitrogen makes the explosion much weaker and it would be considered to affect the process of the propagation. The apparent activation energies of the reactions are estimated from the explosion limits according to Semenov's theory and from the relationship between the logarithum of the induction period and the reciprocal of the absolute temperature.