Experimental investigation on the explosion characteristics and flame propagation behavior of aluminum hydride dust.

Aluminum hydride (AlH 3) dust is a high-capacity hydrogen storage material but is prone to explosion. In this paper, explosion characteristics and flame propagation behavior of AlH 3 dust are investigated. The results indicate that the exposure of bare aluminum and the increase of specific surface area lead to the maximum explosion pressure of AlH 3 dust being 4 times higher than that of Al dust. The enhancement of heat transfer by hydrogen combustion causes a higher combustion rate, leading to a higher maximum explosion pressure rise rate and flame propagation velocity of AlH 3 dust. The thermo-diffusive instabilities and the evolution of hydrogen result in a pulsation flame propagation velocity of AlH 3 dust. Combining the explosion temperature calculated by NASA CEA with the explosion residues analysis, the explosion mechanism of AlH 3 dust is further revealed. The break of the oxide film and the combustion of hydrogen result in a different explosion mechanism. • The explosion characteristics and flame propagation behavior of AlH 3 dust are investigated. • The hydrogen evolution characteristic is studied by the comparison of Al dust. • The explosion mechanism of AlH 3 dust is revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]