Hazards from failure of CNG automotive cylinders in fire.

Compressed natural gas (CNG) is a widely used automotive fuel in a variety of countries. In case of a vehicle fire where the safety device also malfunctions, a failure of the CNG automotive cylinder could occur. Such a cylinder failure is associated with severe hazards for the surrounding environment. Firstly, a comprehensive analysis is given below, summarizing various accidents involving CNG automotive cylinders and their consequences. In an extensive experimental program, 21 CNG automotive cylinders with no safety device were tested. Of the 21, burst tests were carried out on 5 Type III and 5 Type IV cylinders. Furthermore, fire tests with 8 Type III and 3 Type IV cylinders were conducted. Apart from cylinder pressure, inner temperature and cylinder mantle temperature, the periphery consequences, such as nearfield blast pressure and fragmentation are documented. The maximum measured overpressure due to a Type III cylinder failure was p = 0.41 bar. Each traceable fragment was georeferenced. All-in-all, fragment throw distances of d > 300 m could be observed. As one key result, it can be stated that the tested Type IV CNG cylinders showed less critical failure behavior then the Type III cylinders under fire impingement.

[Calculation of flammability limits of gas phases with ethylene oxide in sterilisers]. / Berechnung von Explosionsgrenzen ethylenoxidhaltiger Gasphasen in Sterilisatoren.

A calculation method for flammability limits of gas phases with ethylene oxide in sterilisers was developed. Using the Software GasEq and the newly developed Makro "SterEx" for MS-Excel, flammability limits of mixtures with ethylene oxide, air and inert gases at temperatures between 20 degrees C and 100 degrees C and pressures between 0.4 bar and 1.0 bar can be calculated. This method can be used to easily determine safe operating conditions. The used semi-empirical model is based upon the assumption of constant flame temperature profiles at the flammability limits subject to the EO-concentration for different mixtures. To collect model parameters and to validate the model, several experiments with mixtures of ethylene oxide, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, water vapour and air were carried out to determine flammability limits. To simulate the structural conditions of sterilisers, the experiments were conducted in accordance to DIN EN 1839-B in a closed autoclave with temperatures and pressures relevant for sterilisation processes. The calculation of flammability limits of process gas mixtures with "SterEx" provides good agreement with flammability limits that were determined in experiments.