Analysis of oxygen pipeline explosion
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The pure oxygen in the oxygen pipeline has a purity of 99.6%; the remainder is nitrogen and argon. We know that oxygen is a fuel enhancer and does not burn on its own. As it flows through the pipeline, if the flow rate is too high, static electricity is generated within the pipeline, and discharge can lead to an explosion of the oxygen pipeline. Our facility experienced such an explosion once. I would like to ask my colleagues: if discharge in the pipeline creates a ignition source, then what are the combustible materials? So, how do we reach the explosion limit in that case? As soon as the explosion at our air separation valve site occurred, all the valves were blown away. All the pipelines have been burned out.
Was it the valve that exploded? It shouldn’t explode inside the pipe; explosion is only possible if there is a leak at the flange seal, allowing air to get in
Not exactly. Once, the configuration of our auxiliary oxygen pipelines was incorrect, and an explosion occurred during the oxygen introduction process. The pressure in the oxygen pipelines was around 8 megapascals
Do anyone else have any other opinions? I also know that an oxygen pipeline explosion occurred, and another coal chemical enterprise in Ningxia had an explosion at its oxygen vent as well
I guess it might have been an explosion caused by rust inside the pipes. Under high oxygen levels, small iron filings have this possibility.
Oxygen pipelines are generally made of stainless steel; they shouldn’t rust, right?
So what could that combustible material be? Oxygen alone is not enough to cause an explosion. Be sure not to open the valve too quickly. In an environment with high oxygen concentrations, the human body, clothing, and metals all act as reducing agents, undergoing redox reactions with oxygen. In other words, the human body, clothing, and metal become combustible in an oxygen-rich environment. After being compressed, oxygen generates a large amount of frictional heat during transportation when in contact with pipe walls or machine components due to friction and impact caused by the presence of grease, iron oxide particles, or small combustion particles such as coal dust, carbon particles, or organic fibers. This heat can lead to the ignition of the pipes and machinery. Or, due to the sudden opening of a valve in the pipeline, the gas behind the valve reaches a temperature akin to that of adiabatic compression, causing the pipeline or valve to catch fire.