Visible flame velocity and explosive effect of steam-air mixtures of transformer oil and gasoline: experimental methodology and results

Real explosions in production show that industrial fluids are used, which under certain conditions can form explosive vapor-air mixtures. However, this fact is not always taken into account when planning possible scenarios for the development of accidents, since the degree of explosion of some technical fluids in different states remains unknown. The purpose of this article is to determine the scenario of an explosive accident at the Shakhty Polyester Plant in Shakhty, which is necessary for the examination of emergencies related to industrial explosions. Analytical and comparative methods were used to determine the type and formation of the physicochemical picture of the explosive accident. The main materials for the study were: description of the damage to the building, detected substances and photographs from the scene, as well as a video recording of the explosion and eyewitness testimonies. The information basis of the study was a real emergency situation accompanied by an explosion. As a result of the study, the following were determined: scenario of explosive accident development; type of explosive transformation; the physical and chemical process of formation of explosive vapor-air mixture was analyzed; the method of explosion pressure reduction at this object was considered