Theoretical investigation of ignition and detonation of coal-particle gas mixtures

A mathematical model of ignition of a coal-particle gas suspension is developed within the framework of mechanics of reacting heterogeneous media. Some qualitative features are studied, which reveal different typical variants of heat dynamics of the mixture: heterogeneous ignition caused by the coke residue ignition reaction, homogeneous ignition induced by volatile oxidation in the gas phase, and hybrid ignition due to the simultaneous effect of surface and volume reactions. Verification of the model is performed using available experimental data on ignition delay times for coal-particle suspensions in air and oxygen behind reflected shock waves. The model is extended to detonation processes in the suspension, verified by experimental data on the relation between the propagation velocity and initial particle concentration. Stationary detonation regimes are studied, and specific features of detonation structures are discussed.This paper was presented at the 18th International Colloquium on the Dynamics of Explosions and Reactive System, Seattle, Washington, USA, August, 2001