Vent burst doors as an effective method of suppressing the dangers of gas explosions

This paper investigated the effectiveness of a vent burst door in isolating the shock waves of gas explosions in coal mines and to reveal the mechanisms of gas explosion overpressure. A 17.5 m × φ 0.63 m columnar explosion test duct with a similar shape to the roadways in coal mines was designed. Explosion overpressure propagation characteristics and the effects of methane concentration at different locations along the duct with and without a vent burst door were experimentally investigated. The results demonstrate that the vent burst door plays a significant role in sealing the explosion area and isolating the explosion propagation. A properly designed vent burst door is a promising technique for suppressing and isolating multiple and continuous gas explosions and is poised to have a significant positive impact on improving the safety of coal mines in China and all over the world.