Study on the Deflagration Process of Simulated Diesel Oil Tank

In order to study the deflagration characteristics of diesel oil ignited by external energy, tests were carried out without any restraints to observe the ignition and explosion process of the oil tank using thermal imager and high-speed camera. Relationship between minimum ignition energy of the diesel oil and ignition location was analyzed. Surface temperature and other parameters of fireballs at different ignition locations were measured and compared. Results show that the fuel explosion of oil tank occurs as two distinct stages: fireball and pool fire. The minimum ignition energy in vapor zone and fuel zone are 45.59 and 307.20 kJ respectively, and the minimum ignition energy is irrelative with ignition location in vapor zone. The maximum surface temperature and area of fireballs depend on the distance between ignition location and the phase interface. Fireballs ignited closest to the phase interface are most potentially dangerous.