explosibility

By far the most potent factor in altering the range of explosibility of any gas when mixed with air is the diameter of the vessel containing or delivering such mixture.

Acetylene, the Principles of Its Generation and Use W. J. Atkinson Butterfield

They have, usually, a far lower upper limit of explosibility than that of neat acetylene, and they admit of safe compression to an extent greatly exceeding that of acetylene itself, while they do not lose illuminating power on compression.

Acetylene, the Principles of Its Generation and Use W. J. Atkinson Butterfield

Mixtures, however, in which the percentage of combustible gas lies between these two limits will explode when a light or spark is applied to them; and the comprehensive term "range of explosibility" is used to cover all lying between the two explosive limits.

Acetylene, the Principles of Its Generation and Use W. J. Atkinson Butterfield

As the proportion of aqueous vapour in gas standing over water increases with the temperature the range of explosibility of mixtures of a combustible gas and air is naturally and automatically reduced when the temperature rises, provided the mixture is in contact with water.

Acetylene, the Principles of Its Generation and Use W. J. Atkinson Butterfield

If, then, a naked light is applied to a vessel containing a mixture of a combustible gas and air, in which mixture the proportion of combustible gas is below the lower limit of explosibility, the gas will not take fire, but the light will continue to burn, deriving its necessary oxygen from the excess of air present.

Acetylene, the Principles of Its Generation and Use W. J. Atkinson Butterfield

If we possessed a similar table showing the speed of the explosive wave in mixtures of known composition, the foregoing formulæ would enable us to calculate the minimum speed which would insure absence of explosibility in a supply-pipe of any given diameter throughout its length, or at its narrowest part.

Acetylene, the Principles of Its Generation and Use W. J. Atkinson Butterfield

Now, even if a pipe is filled with an acetylene-air mixture of utmost explosibility, an explosion cannot travel backwards from B to A in that pipe, if the gas is moving from A to B at a speed of over 22 feet per second.

Acetylene, the Principles of Its Generation and Use W. J. Atkinson Butterfield

The explosibility of a steam generator may be measured by the relation of its total capacity to its vaporizing power.

Scientific American Supplement, No. 664, September 22,1888 Various

It may perhaps be well to indicate briefly the practical significance of the range of explosibility of a mixture of air and a combustible gas, such as acetylene.

Acetylene, the Principles of Its Generation and Use W. J. Atkinson Butterfield

The light so obtained is the light of neat acetylene, but the gas is acetylene having an upper limit of explosibility much lower than usual because of the vapour of acetone in it.

Acetylene, the Principles of Its Generation and Use W. J. Atkinson Butterfield