EXPLOSION PROCESS BY METHANE GAS FOR TUNNEL MODELLING IN LABORATORY SCALE SIMULATED BY COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS ANSYS FLUENT

• Main Author: Yukie Peramesti A, Putu
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/49021
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

The explosion of methane gas and coal dust is the biggest disaster in the mining by killing coal mine workers. Methane is explosive in air when the concentration ranges from 9 % to 14% by volume (Coward and Jones, 1952). This study aims to analyze the process of methane gas explosion in underground tunnels and determine the most influential factors in the occurrence of methane gas explosions. The size of laboratory scale model of underground tunnel is 164 cm (in length) x 19 cm (in width) x 25 cm (in height). Then simulations were performed using variations in methane concentration 5%, 6% and 9,5% by volume. Spark ignition also install in this model with high voltage electric trigger with an energy 6 J and the duration is 2 millisecond. The results of this study are 1) The process of methane gas explosion in underground tunnels begins with the presence of methane gas with concentration 5%-9,5% volume. Then it initiated by ignitor so it can produces an explosion with explosive pressure and certain temperature. 2) The most influential factors in occurrence of methane gas explosions in underground tunnels are temperature and explosive pressure. The greater the methane concentration given, the greater the temperature, explosive pressure and heating value produced. The farther from spark point, the smaller the temperature and explosive pressure produced.