AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF SURFACTANTS ON THE SEVERITY OF VAPOR EXPLOSIONS

Dilute aqueous solutions of two surface active agents (surfactants) we re tested for their ability to suppress spontaneous steam explosions i n molten tin/water systems. At 800 degrees C, 12 g of tin were dropped into aqueous solutions of a nonionic surfactant (nonylphenol polyethy lene glycol ether) and an ionic surfactant (dodecylbenzene sulfonate s odium salt) with concentrations of 5, 10, and 50 wppm. The data indica te that surfactants reduce the severity of steam explosions. On averag e, the surfactant solutions resulted in a 65% reduction in average pea k pressures when compared with the deionized water results. However, v ery little difference in the mitigating effect of the surfactant solut ions was observed as the concentration was increased beyond 5 wppm. Pa rticle-size distribution results also indicated a mitigating effect on steam explosion severity, as a 19% reduction in participating melt ma ss fraction was observed when the surfactants were used.