ASTM E582-04
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Minimum Ignition Energy and Quenching Distance in Gaseous Mixtures
Standard Test Method for Minimum Ignition Energy and Quenching Distance in Gaseous Mixtures
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of minimum energy for ignition (initiation of deflagration) and associated flat-plate ignition quenching distances. The complete description is specific to alkane or alkene fuels admixed with air at normal ambient temperature and pressure. This method is applicable to mixtures of the specified fuels with air, varying from the most easily ignitable mixture to mixtures near to the limit-of-flammability compositions.
1.2 Extensions to other fuel-oxidizer combinations, and to other temperatures and pressures can be accomplished with all the accuracy inherent in this method if certain additional conditions are met: ( a) mixture stability and compatibility with bomb, seal, and other materials is established through time tests described in Section 9; (b) the expected peak pressure from the test is within the pressure rating of the bomb (established as required by the particular research laboratory); (c) spark breakdown within the bomb is consistent with Paschen's law for the distance being tested; (d) the temperature, including that of the discharge electrodes, is uniform; and (e) if the temperature is other than ambient, the energy storage capacitance required is less than about 9 pF.
1.3 This method is one of several being developed by Committee E-27 for determining the hazards of chemicals, including their vapors in air or other oxidant atmospheres. The measurements are useful in assessing fuel ignitability hazards due to static or other electrical sparks. However, the quenching distance data must be used with great prudence since they are primarily applicable to the ignition stage and therefore, represent values for initial pressure and not the smaller values existing at higher pressures.
1.4 This standard should be used to measure and describe the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions and should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However, results of this test may be used as elements of a fire risk assessment which takes into account all of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end use
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific safety precautions are listed in Section 5.
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Designation:E582–04
Standard Test Method for
Minimum Ignition Energy and Quenching Distance in
1
Gaseous Mixtures
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E582; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or
fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire
1.1 This test method covers the determination of minimum
conditions. However, results of this test may be used as
energy for ignition (initiation of deflagration) and associated
2 elements of a fire risk assessment which takes into account all
flat-plate ignition quenching distances. The complete descrip-
of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire
tion is specific to alkane or alkene fuels admixed with air at
hazard of a particular end use.
normal ambient temperature and pressure. This method is
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
applicable to mixtures of the specified fuels with air, varying
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
from the most easily ignitable mixture to mixtures near to the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
limit-of-flammability compositions.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.2 Extensions to other fuel-oxidizer combinations, and to
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific safety
other temperatures and pressures can be accomplished with all
precautions are listed in Section 5.
the accuracy inherent in this method if certain additional
conditionsaremet:( a)mixturestabilityandcompatibilitywith
2. Summary of Method
bomb, seal, and other materials is established through time
2.1 Known quantities of stored electrical energy are dis-
tests described in Section 9;(b) the expected peak pressure
charged into a known fuel-air mixture at a known spark-gap
from the test is within the pressure rating of the bomb
length. Visual inspection indicates whether the mixture is
(established as required by the particular research laboratory);
ignited and flame propagates through the test reaction vessel.
(c) spark breakdown within the bomb is consistent with
Sufficient tests are conducted to determine the minimum
Paschen’s law for the distance being tested; (d) the tempera-
ignition energy versus stoichiometry and flat-plate ignition
ture, including that of the discharge electrodes, is uniform; and
quenching distance versus stoichiometry for the mixture under
(e) if the temperature is other than ambient, the energy storage
investigation.
capacitance required is less than about 9 pF.
1.3 This method is one of several being developed by
3. Significance and Use
Committee E-27 for determining the hazards of chemicals,
3.1 The minimum energies provide a basis for comparing
including their vapors in air or other oxidant atmospheres.The
the ease of ignition of gases. The flatplate ignition quenching
measurements are useful in assessing fuel ignitability hazards
distances provide an important verification of existing mini-
duetostaticorotherelectricalsparks.However,thequenching
mum ignition energy data and give approximate values of the
distance data must be used with great prudence since they are
propagation quenching distances of the various mixtures. It is
primarily applicable to the ignition stage and therefore, repre-
emphasized that maximum safe experimental gaps, as from
sent values for initial pressure and not the smaller values
“flame-proof” or “explosion-proof” studies, are less than the
existing at higher pressures.
flat-plate ignition quenching distances.
1.4 This standard should be used to measure and describe
the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response
4. Apparatus
to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions and
4.1 Reaction Vessel—The recommended reaction vessel is
manufactured according to the specifications of Fig. 1 and Fig.
1
2. This is a spherical vessel, manufactured of Type 304
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E27 on Hazard
Potential of Chemicals and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E27.04 on
stainless steel, and passivated after machining. The spherical
Flammability and Ignitability of Chemicals.
geometry maximizes the useable spark-gap length for a given
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2004. Published January 2005. Originally
vessel volume. The reaction vessel provides for opposed
approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as E582–88(1999).
2
mounting of the spark electrodes which permits rapid and
Litchfield, E. L., Hay, M. H., Kubala,
...
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