Flammability and explosion property of gases in the one-step process of propane oxidation to acrylic acid

In order to study the flammability and explosion property of gases during the propane oxidation to acrylic acid process, the explosion limits and the safety oxygen content of gases at the recycle gas compressor outlet, the reactor inlet, and the reactor outlet were theoretically calculated and experimentally tested. Finally, the inert limit was also determined. It showed that gases at the recycle gas compressor outlet and the reactor outlet were nonflammable based on three indicators: the explosion limits, the safety oxygen content and the inert limit. The C₃H₆ and O₂ contents were higher at the reactor inlet, which made the mixed gases easily ignitable. However, the large amount of inert gases suppressed the possibility of explosion effectively. As a consequence, no explosion phenomenon would happen in all three locations. But gases at the reactor inlet are most dangerous, where more supervision on the concentration of gases and more strict control on the temperature and pressure should be implemented. Besides this, open flame, hot surfaces and other sources of ignition are prohibited in working spaces. The experimental results can be applied to similar process for oxidation of propane.