Numerical Study On The Process Of The Explosions Caused By Residual Pressure In Quick Actuating Pressure Vessels And Analysis Of The Structure Improvement

Quick actuating pressure vessels are widely used in chemical industry, food processing and pharmacy, etc. The explosion caused by residual pressure is one of the most common kinds among the accidents of quick actuating pressure vessels. Research on the process of the explosion caused by residual pressure in quick actuating pressure vessels are very important for enhancing the safety of pressure vessel operation.The explosion process caused by residual pressure in quick actuating pressure vessels is a complicated course coupled fluid-structure analysis, which is related to fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, heat transfer and mass transfer, etc.In this paper, a numerical simulation model was established to simulate the process of explosion of pressure vessel caused by residual pressure. The model is based on the Eulerian/Lagrangian mixed method and the problem is solved with local remeshing method provided by Fluent Software. By comparing the simulation with the experiments under the same condition, the accuracy of the model is verified. And the model is used to study the explosion of quick actuating pressure vessels with different structures and pressures.Main conclusions obtained are described as follows:(1) The explosion process caused by residual pressure in quick actuating pressure vessels depends on some factors, such as the opening pressure, the structure of the vessels, the length of the rotatable clamp, the gap width between the cylinder and the rotatable clamp.(2) The results show that the acceleration process of the lid is very short, and at the beginning of the opening, the pressure on the lid decreases slowly, the velocity of the lid increases rapidly; Then, the pressure on the lid diminishes quickly, when the lid fully opened; Finally, pressure inside and outside the vessel attain equilibrate state.(3) By analyzing the explosion process caused by residual pressure in quick actuating pressure vessels, some suggestions are presented: Firstly, the quick actuating pressure vessels must be installed with the safety interlock; Secondly, the length of the rotatable clamp should be decreased properly; Thirdly, some gaps or holes on the flange of quick actuating pressure vessels should be set up to release pressure during the accident.This work can provide guidance on the determination of the safe opening pressure for the quick actuating pressure vessels, and offer theoretical and technical support for the design, manufacture and use of quick actuating pressure vessels.