Evaluation of the Suppression Conditions for Combustion and Detonation Waves

Formulas based on conservation laws are proposed for evaluating the conditions for combustion and detonation waves using dust or water clouds. The formulas allow the determination of the minimum concentration of dust or atomized water droplets in a cloud and the minimum length of the cloud. Specific data on the conditions for quenching methane–air mixtures typical of coal mines are given. These data indicate that the dust concentrations and cloud sizes recommended by the Russian Federation standards allow, at best, the suppression of only low-velocity combustion waves.