Gas–liquid two-phase isopropyl nitrate flow and explosion laws beyond the premixed region induced by localized ignition

Liquid fuels are a primary energy source in industrial production. The explosion pressure generated by localized ignition can cause significant damage to the shell of liquid fuel devices. Furthermore, the shockwaves, fireballs, and thermal radiation outside the device may trigger chain explosions nearby. Predicting hazardous effects outside a ruptured liquid fuel tank is the foundation for preventing chain explosions. Through numerical simulations and experimental validation, the explosion laws under various factors are explored. The results indicate that upon igniting the premixed mist, the scope of the explosion reaction zone expands with the spillage of the mist from the initial premixed zone. The greater the initial overpressure in the premixed zone, the higher the overpressure of localized ignition, and the larger the particle size, the farther the reaction zone range becomes. The closer the vapor-phase concentration approaches the stoichiometric concentration, the greater the explosion overpressure becomes, the faster the chemical reaction rate accelerates, and the shorter the explosion delay time gets. An increased overpressure in the premixed zone results in an expanded range of energy released. As the localized ignition temperature increases, the vapor-phase concentration in the near field rises. The higher the ambient temperature, the lower the explosion overpressure and the shorter the explosion delay time. The findings offer scientific support for predicting the hazardous effects of liquid fuel explosions.