AIST, Research Core for Explosion Safety, ex-Director
Mitsuaki Iida

• Outline of research

The main mission of our core is contributing to public safety and improvement of industrial safety technology. We are carrying out general research concerning safety of the foundation and application on combustion and explosion of chemical substances and their related phenomena (spontaneous combustion, runaway reactions, pressure release, high-speed combustion, impact rupture and environmental impacts by explosion, etc.).
To give actual examples,

1. Measuring physical properties and investigating the chemical reaction mechanism in high temperature and pressure conditions.
2. Fundamental research on computer simulation.
3. Developing safety evaluation of chemicals (physical hazards) and technology for safety application.
4. Research on concrete measures to respond social needs to ensure public safety and improve industrial safety technology.
5. Research to respond international needs, such as UN test, concerning safety of combustion and explosion in international trade.
   

• The latest main achievement

We investigated in various ways properties of hydrogen, which is expected as next generation fuel for fuel cell loading cars, such as static electricity ignitability, diffusion and combustion characteristics when it leaks out into the air, combustion and explosion characteristics with air-mixed gas. Especially, on combustion and explosion characteristics, we performed laboratory scale experiment and the maximum 200 m³ large-scale field experiment, and obtained a lot of important data on behavior of blast waves and so on. (Cf. photos). These data will be reflected in safety technical standards for handling hydrogen. We also obtained important data on performance of powder magazines and safety of explosives, by performing laboratory scale experiment and large-scale field experiment. These data will be also reflected in technical standards of related regulations (Explosives Control Law).

Photos: Experiment of Hydrogen/Air mixed gas explosion (Oct. 2004, Fuzan Mine, Iwate Pref.)