IGNITION OF PROPANE-AIR MIXTURES BY ELECTRICAL CORONAS

This investigation attempted to determine the level at which coronas could ignite flammable mixtures of propane and air. The tests were carried out in a cylindrical explosion chamber, inside of which coronas were generated by exposing pointed probes of various diameters to a plate. The parameters used to determine if coronas could cause an ignition included polarity variation, gas composition, plate-to-rod distance, and corona rod diameter. Because of consistent breakdown between point and plate, it was believed that all observed explosions were caused by sparks and not by the preceding coronas. However, the kind of coronas that will not cause explosions are defined and indicate that voltage and current at which explosions can occur would have to be higher for larger equipment. To date, no coronas have been found in cargo tanks that even begin to approach these limits.

• Corporate Authors:

  Chevron Research Company

  576 Standard Avenue, P.O. Box 1627
  Richmond, CA  United States  94802
• Authors:
  • Klaver, R F
• Publication Date: 1970-12-18

Media Info

• Pagination: 33 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Electric discharge; Ignition systems; Liquefied natural gas
• Old TRIS Terms: Electric corona; Explosive vapor ignition; Gas freeing; Lng ignition
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00043949
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Mine Safety Appliances Research Corporation
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 4 1973 12:00AM