Abstract: In order to improve inhibition effect of ultra-fine water mist on methane explosion, a small-scale and semi-closed methane explosion test platform was built, and experiments on methane explosion inhibition by argon and ultra-fine water mist were carried out. Through tests of single factor test surface optimization, their inhibition separately and collaboratively was tested, and their superiority in synergistic explosion suppression were analyzed from three aspects, flame characteristics, maximum explosive overpressure and average boost rate. The results show that synergistic inhibition effect of argon gas and ultra-fine water mist on methane explosion is remarkable. With increase of theformer's volume fraction and the latter's amount, time taken for flame to rush out of pipes gradually lengthens, and maximum explosion overpressure and average boost rate gradually decrease. Best inhibition effect is achieved when argon is at 10% and ultra-fine water mist spray at 4.2 mL. And maximum explosion overpressure of methane decrease by 6.15 and 2.68 kPa respectively compared with the cases of argon gas and ultra-fine water mist alone, indicating that they have a synergistic effect in inhibiting methane explosion.

Key words: argon, ultra-fine water mist, synergistic effect, methane, explosions, inhibition effect