Calculating limiting oxygen concentration of gas mixtures

Abstract

The limit values for the fuel concentration in the air-flammable fuel mixture are LEL (lower explosive limit) and UEL (upper explosive limit). The addition of an inert component to the fuel / air mixture determines the increase and decrease of the LEL, until no explosion occurs. The maximum oxygen quantity of the non-combustible - air - inert fuel mixture is LOC (limited oxygen concentration), an important safety property. Investigation of a comprehensive set of data on the flammability at high temperature and ambient pressure obtained from documented sources was carried out for systems containing nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water (steam) such as inert ingredients. Determining the LOC for gas mixtures with different ratios requires step-by-step testing. To solve that problem, the author used Lechateler calculation method to calculate LOC for the ratio of gas mixture and compared the results of experimental equipment.