Ignition of hydraulic fluid sprays by open flames and hot surfaces
Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries, 19 (4):
353--361 (July 2006)DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jlp.2005.09.001
Abstract
A study of the ignition of non-fire-resistant hydraulic fluid sprays
was conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health. Both an open flame and a hot steel surface were used as the
external heat sources. With the open flame as the heat source, the
minimum oil temperature and minimum spray nozzle pressure that resulted
in an ignition were measured. The effects of the distance between
the open flame and the nozzle and the nozzle orifice diameter on
the ignitability of the hydraulic fluid sprays were examined. With
the hot surface as the heat source, the minimum surface ignition
temperature was determined. The degree of oil atomization and the
relative direction of oil injection with respect to the hot surface
are discussed. The ignition of oil sprays from the impingement of
oil jets onto a vertical surface was also investigated. Finally,
the results are compared with those obtained for fire-resistant hydraulic
fluids.