Furnace pressure vessel failure -unique problem

[fluxfire71]

The Vessel at profile is at 500 C and 550 bar containing pressurised argon. I have been tasked me to look at a scenario where the contents of the furnace may become oxidised leading to a rise in temperature.

If you assume a breach in one of the service pipes resulting in pressure loss. How would the air surrounding the furnace enter the furnace? And how exactly can i calculate the mass flow of air into the furnace? Assuming an orifice.

If the furnace has significant thermal energy i can't see air flowing back in due to the temperature gradient despite the concentration.


Much appreciated

 

[EmmanuelTop]

Can you upload a sketch? How is the furnace related to this Argon vessel?
We need a better description in order to assist you in this query.

Dejan IVANOVIC
Process Engineer, MSChE

 

[marty007]

Here is my idea... might be wrong as I don't know enough about your system, just a possibility.

1) At first there is a massive depressurization, which drives gas out.
2) Now the vessel is hot and equalized to atmosphere.
3) Now if the vessel looses its heat source and begins to cool, the gases will decrease in density, drawing ambient air into the vessel.
4) Now you are getting oxygen ingress, which from what you're saying could react with your contents, potentially driving the temperature up.

There are a lot of ifs in there, but I could see this happening in specific cases.

As already requested, can you provide any more information?

Cheers,

 

[fluxfire71]

Hi guys thanks for responding!

I've attached a sketch of the syste, hopefully it can be viewed!

Marty in regards to your 3rd point if the air become cools won't the air become more dense? due to contraction of molecules

I'm still not sure how escaped gas and air can come back in.

 

[marty007]

Ugh, yes that's what I meant... higher density. The rest of the post still follows.

Once it is equalized to the environment and begins to cool. The gases will increase in density (taking up less volume), and the vessel will start sucking in outside air.

Cheers,