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The Bureau of Mines has developed a system using a high-speed electropneumatic mechanism for the rapid (grab) sampling of dusts and gases during an explosion. The sampling system consists of an aluminum housing that incorporates two 30-cm3 preevacuated glass vials with rubber septums. Upon actuation, the sampling probe needle is driven through the septum with a pressurized air pulse, filling the tube with gas and dust from the mine explosion. After a predetermined time, the sampling probe needle is retracted by a second high-pressure air pulse to its normal (quiescent) state, allowing the sampling tube to reseal. The onset and the duration of sampling are independently variable and controlled by a time-delay relay package. This technique enables the monitoring of pyrolysis-charring in coal particles and the generation and combustion of the pyrolysis vapors in both large- and small-scale explosions. The following results were obtained from full-scale dust explosion tests at the Bureau of Mines Lake Lynn Laboratory: (1) gas sampling of the leading edge of the flame front shows the large concentration changes, characteristic of the flame front; (2) gas samples taken entirely in the flame zone consist of pyrolysis and combustion products with very low residual oxygen; and (3) the particles collected in the flame zone show signs of extensive pyrolysis and charring.
| Author(s): | Conti-RS, Zlochower-IA, Sapko-MJ |
| Reference: | U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines. Report of Investigations 9192, NTIS No. PB90-268756, 1988; :1-17 |
ri9192 (PDF, 3254 KB)
