ASTM E582-07
(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
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The minimum energies provide a basis for comparing the ease of ignition of gases. The flatplate ignition quenching distances provide an important verification of existing minimum ignition energy data and give approximate values of the propagation quenching distances of the various mixtures. It is emphasized that maximum safe experimental gaps, as from “flame-proof” or “explosion-proof” studies, are less than the flat-plate ignition quenching distances.
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 ; (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
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 − 07
StandardTest 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. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions and
should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or
1.1 This test method covers the determination of minimum
fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire
energy for ignition (initiation of deflagration) and associated
2 conditions. However, results of this test may be used as
flat-plate ignition quenching distances. The complete descrip-
elements of a fire risk assessment which takes into account all
tion is specific to alkane or alkene fuels admixed with air at
of the factors which are pertinent to an assessment of the fire
normal ambient temperature and pressure. This method is
hazard of a particular end use.
applicable to mixtures of the specified fuels with air, varying
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
from the most easily ignitable mixture to mixtures near to the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
limit-of-flammability compositions.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.2 Extensions to other fuel-oxidizer combinations, and to
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
other temperatures and pressures can be accomplished with all
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific safety
the accuracy inherent in this method if certain additional
precautions are listed in Section 5.
conditions are met: (a) mixture stability and compatibility with
bomb, seal, and other materials is established through time
2. Terminology
tests described in Section 9;(b) the expected peak pressure
2.1 Definitions:
from the test is within the pressure rating of the bomb
2.1.1 Ignition, n—the initiation of combustion.
(established as required by the particular research laboratory);
(c) spark breakdown within the bomb is consistent with
2.1.2 Minimum Ignition Energy (MIE), n—electrical energy
Paschen’s law for the distance being tested; (d) the
discharged from a capacitor, which is just sufficient to effect
temperature, including that of the discharge electrodes, is
ignition of the most easily ignitable concentration of fuel in air
uniform; and (e) if the temperature is other than ambient, the
under the specific test conditions.
energy storage capacitance required is less than about 9 pF.
2.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.3 This method is one of several being developed by
2.2.1 Ignition Quenching Distance, n—Maximum spacing
Committee E27 for determining the hazards of chemicals,
between eletrode flanges that will not permit spark ignition and
including their vapors in air or other oxidant atmospheres. The
flame propagation beyond the flanges, when tested under the
measurements are useful in assessing fuel ignitability hazards
specified test conditions.
due to static or other electrical sparks. However, the quenching
distance data must be used with great prudence since they are
3. Significance and Use
primarily applicable to the ignition stage and therefore, repre-
3.1 The minimum energies provide a basis for comparing
sent values for initial pressure and not the smaller values
the ease of ignition of gases. The flatplate ignition quenching
existing at higher pressures.
distances provide an important verification of existing mini-
1.4 This standard should be used to measure and describe
mum ignition energy data and give approximate values of the
the properties of materials, products, or assemblies in response
propagation quenching distances of the various mixtures. It is
emphasized that maximum safe experimental gaps, as from
1
“flame-proof” or “explosion-proof” studies, are less than the
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
flat-plate ignition quenching distances.
Flammability and Ignitability of Chemicals.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2007. Published February 2007. Originally
4. Apparatus
approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as E582 – 04. DOI:
10.1520/E0582-07.
4.1 Reaction Vessel—The recommended reaction vessel is
2
Litchfield, E. L., Hay, M. H., Kubala, T. S., and Monroe, J. S., “Minimum
manufactured according to the specifications of Fig. 1 and Fig.
Ignition Energy and Quenching Distance in Gaseous Mixtures,’’ BuMines, R. L.
7009, August 1967, p. 11. 2. This is a s
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