ABSTRACT
The amount of energy contained in an explosion is a direct function of the type of fuel, the amount of space in which it is confined, and the concentration of the fuel. The explosive limits of a gaseous fuel are useful in calculating the amount of fuel which may have been involved in an explosion. If the room or space in which the explosion occurred is known, its volume can be determined. If the type of gas which fueled the explosion is known or assumed, then the amount of fuel necessary to cause the explosion can be estimated from its lower explosive limits. When an explosion occurs, especially a deflagrating explosion, it is often the case that some of the fuel will be pushed along with or ahead of the pressure front creating a fireball or flame-front effect. Fuel will often still be burning in the gaseous mixture while the explosion is in progress.
