COMBUSTION INHIBITION IN CONFINED SPACESOF GAS COMPRESSOR STATIONS
Purpose. Fires at gas compressor stations (GCS) can lead to operation disruptions not only at industrial, but also social facilities. More than 70 % of all GCS fires occurred in confined spaces, and extinguishment effectiveness of such fires by existing fire extinguishing means is not more than 57 %. Thus, the aim of this work is to increase the efficiency of slowing down chemical reactions of gas-phase combustion by electromagnetic treatment of aqueous solutions of inhibiting salts. Methods. To evaluate the available statistical data analysis and synthesis methods have been used. The theory of combustion branched-chain processes has been used for studying inhibition processes. The objectivity of the found theoretical dependencies has been confirmed by an experimental method. Findings. During a series of experiments using 5 %, 15 % and 25 % aqueous inhibitor solutions with additional electromagnetic treatment, the following results have been obtained:the average extinction time compared to water delivery without inhibiting salt has been reduced by 2.18 times and has taken 28 seconds;the use of electromagnetic treatment has made it possible to reduce the extinction time by a 5 % inhibitor solution, while the use of a 15 % solution concentration hasn’t practically affected the reduction of the extinction time.The possibility of using electromagnetic treatment to affect the electrochemical structure of the flame has been confirmed during the experimental study.Research application field. The obtained empirical dependences can be used to increase the efficiency of gas-phase combustion suppression of saturated hydrocarbons. Conclusions. The results of the study will allow us to form a theoretical basis for describing the mechanisms of blocking radical combustion reactions by ion clusters during electromagnetic treatment of aqueous solutions of inhibiting salts.