The use of expanded graphite sheet as an efficient method for preventing heat explosion in portable gas stoves

In Korea, a total of 112 explosions related to portable butane gas stoves occurred between 2011 and 2015. This resulted in the injury of 187 people and the death of 8 others. Although safety devices are installed in portable gas stoves or canisters, reliability is low. We conducted experiments to identify the process of the portable butane gas stove’s explosion and performance of an improved portable gas stove. The improved one has an attached expanded graphite sheet inside the gas canister cover which has a directional high thermal conductivity to diffuse heat. As a result of these experiments, we found the process, characteristics, and trends of explosions of portable butane gas stoves. Moreover, we checked that the stoves with an attached graphite sheet help prevent explosions by diffusing heat. In addition, the temperature of canisters was constant until most of the butane gas was consumed. These results provide data to improve safety devices for portable gas stoves as well as to prevent deadly accidents.