An accumulated combustible dust layer on some hot process equipment such as dryers or hot bearings can be ignited and result in fires when the hot surface temperature is sufficiently high. The ASTM E 2021 test procedure is often used to determine the Hot Surface Minimum Ignition Temperature for a half inch deep layer of a particular dust material. This test procedure was used in this thesis to study possible effects of combustible liquid (such as lubricating oil) and powder additives in the dust layer as well as air flow effects. The following combustible dusts were used: paper dust from a printing press, Arabic gum powder, Pittsburgh seam coal, and brass powder. To develop an improved understanding of the heat transfer, and oxygen mass transfer phenomena occurring in the dust layer, additional instrumentation such as a second thermocouple in the dust layer, an oxygen analyzer and gas sampling line, and an air velocity probe were used in at least some tests. Hot Surface Minimum Ignition temperatures were 220oC for Pittsburgh seam coal, 360oC for paper dust, 270¡Ãƒâ€° for Arabic gum powder, and > 400oC for brass powder. The addition of 5-10 weight percent stearic acid powder resulted in significantly lower ignition temperature of brass powder. When combustible liquids were added to the dust layer, the ignition temperatures did not decrease regardless of the liquids¡¯ ignitibility because the liquids seemed to act as heat absorbents. Although air velocity on the order of 1 cm/s did not affect test results, much larger air velocities did affect the results. With 33 cm/s downward airflow at the elevation of the surface of the layer, Pittsburgh seam coal was not ignited at 230¡Ãƒâ€° which was 10¡Ãƒâ€° higher than the 220¡Ãƒâ€° hot surface ignition temperature without airflow. Based on the results and data from the additional instrumentations, modifications of the ASTM E2021 test procedure are recommended.

L'objectif de ces travaux est d'étudier expérimentalement la dispersion d'hydrogène pour évaluer l'impact des fuites chroniques ou accidentelles qui peuvent intervenir en milieu libre ou encombré, à faible ou à forte pression, sur un véhicule fonctionnant avec une pile à combustible. Les fuites étudiées sont assimilées à des jets verticaux, turbulents, axisymétriques, à densité variable, et issus d'orifices cylindriques de 1 à 3 mm de diamètre. Un banc expérimental a été conçu pour étudier ces fuites : l'hydrogène a été remplacé par de l'hélium pour des raisons de sécurité. Il résiste à une pression de 200 bars et permet de positionner un obstacle dans le jet. La technique BOS (Background Oriented Schlieren) a été adaptée aux jets millimétriques et à la présence d'un obstacle. Un soin particulier à été apporté à la mise en place de cette technique. Les résultats obtenus sont en accord avec ceux de la littérature quand il en existe. De nouvelles lois de similitude sont proposées, plus représentatives de la physique des jets : libres subsoniques, libres sous-détendus, et subsoniques en présence d'un obstacle (sphère). À partir de l'analyse de la structure compressible des jets sous-détendus, de nouvelles lois sont aussi proposées pour estimer la position et le diamètre du disque de Mach puis la longueur du cône potentiel. Enfin, deux lois d'estimation du volume et de la masse inflammables de jets libres d'hydrogène sont proposées : elles sont fonction du débit massique de la fuite.

Os transformadores de potência são alguns dos elementos mais importantes dos sistemas elétricos. A confiabilidade e o bom funcionamento destes equipamentos são vitais para que as companhias de energia forneçam eletricidade com qualidade e segurança. Um dos principais parâmetros que envolvem a normalidade da operação dos transformadores é o estado da isolação interna formada pelo óleo mineral e o papel que cobre as bobinas. Danos nessa isolação resultam na degradação destes dielétricos e, por conseqüência, na diminuição da vida útil dos transformadores. Essa degradação, que advém de processos elétricos, térmicos, ou mesmo mecânicos, geram gases combustíveis cujas quantidades individuais podem indicar o tipo de falha e a gravidade do problema. Desta forma, é importante detectar os principais gases envolvidos. O objetivo deste trabalho é realizar análises e estudos quantitativos da presença de gases inflamáveis dissolvidos no óleo, surgidos através da degradação deste líquido isolante. O cerne deste trabalho está em elaborar ensaios de formação de arco no óleo e, posteriormente, aquecer o fluido para medir a quantidade dos gases combustíveis antes dissolvidos nele. Este estudo visa à melhoria na confiabilidade dos equipamentos projetados para detectar e monitorar o surgimento de gases inflamáveis no interior de transformadores de potência existentes em subestações de companhias de eletricidade. / Power transformers are some of the most important elements of electrical systems. The trustworthiness and the good functioning of this equipment permit power utilities to supply electricity with quality and security. One of the main parameters for transformer\'s operation normality is the state of the internal insulation formed by the mineral oil and the paper that covers the bobbins. Damages in this insulation cause its dielectric degradation and, consequently, the reduction of the equipment useful life. This degradation which originates from electrical, thermal, or even mechanical processes generates chemical products such as gases whose individual amounts may indicate the type of imperfection and gravity of the problem. That\'s why the detection of the main involved gases is important. This work intends to elaborate analyses and studies of the presence of inflammable gases dissolved in oil through the degradation of the insulating liquid. The principal topic of this work is the arc formation elaboration in the oil and later the heating of the oil to measure the amount of gases previously dissolved in it. This study also aims to improve the trustworthiness of the projected equipments in order to detect and monitor the sprouting of existing inflammable gases in the interior of power transformers in substations of power utilities.

Os transformadores de potência são alguns dos elementos mais importantes dos sistemas elétricos. A confiabilidade e o bom funcionamento destes equipamentos são vitais para que as companhias de energia forneçam eletricidade com qualidade e segurança. Um dos principais parâmetros que envolvem a normalidade da operação dos transformadores é o estado da isolação interna formada pelo óleo mineral e o papel que cobre as bobinas. Danos nessa isolação resultam na degradação destes dielétricos e, por conseqüência, na diminuição da vida útil dos transformadores. Essa degradação, que advém de processos elétricos, térmicos, ou mesmo mecânicos, geram gases combustíveis cujas quantidades individuais podem indicar o tipo de falha e a gravidade do problema. Desta forma, é importante detectar os principais gases envolvidos. O objetivo deste trabalho é realizar análises e estudos quantitativos da presença de gases inflamáveis dissolvidos no óleo, surgidos através da degradação deste líquido isolante. O cerne deste trabalho está em elaborar ensaios de formação de arco no óleo e, posteriormente, aquecer o fluido para medir a quantidade dos gases combustíveis antes dissolvidos nele. Este estudo visa à melhoria na confiabilidade dos equipamentos projetados para detectar e monitorar o surgimento de gases inflamáveis no interior de transformadores de potência existentes em subestações de companhias de eletricidade. / Power transformers are some of the most important elements of electrical systems. The trustworthiness and the good functioning of this equipment permit power utilities to supply electricity with quality and security. One of the main parameters for transformer\'s operation normality is the state of the internal insulation formed by the mineral oil and the paper that covers the bobbins. Damages in this insulation cause its dielectric degradation and, consequently, the reduction of the equipment useful life. This degradation which originates from electrical, thermal, or even mechanical processes generates chemical products such as gases whose individual amounts may indicate the type of imperfection and gravity of the problem. That\'s why the detection of the main involved gases is important. This work intends to elaborate analyses and studies of the presence of inflammable gases dissolved in oil through the degradation of the insulating liquid. The principal topic of this work is the arc formation elaboration in the oil and later the heating of the oil to measure the amount of gases previously dissolved in it. This study also aims to improve the trustworthiness of the projected equipments in order to detect and monitor the sprouting of existing inflammable gases in the interior of power transformers in substations of power utilities.