An Introduction To Dust Explosions

An Introduction to Dust Explosions

Preventable dust explosions continue to occur in industry in spite of significant research and practice efforts worldwide over many years. There is a need for effective understanding of the unique hazards posed by combustible dust. This book describes a number of dust explosion myths – which together cover the main source of dust explosion hazards – the reasons they exist and the corresponding scientific and engineering facts that mitigate these circumstances. An Introduction to Dust Explosions describes the main erroneous beliefs about the origin and propagation of dust explosions. It offers fact-based explanations for their occurrence and the impact of such events and provides a critical guide to managing and mitigating dust explosion risks. - Designed to prevent accidents, injury, loss of life and capital damage - An easy-to-read, scientifically rigorous treatment of the facts and fictions of dust explosions for those who need to – or ought to – understand dust explosions, their occurrence and consequences - Enables the management and mitigation of these critical industrial hazards

Industrial Dust Explosions

Introduction to Dust Explosions

This Bureau of Mines paper is an introduction to the subject of dust explosions. The phenomena associated with the occurrence of dust explosions are described in general terms, with several specific examples of dusts that react so rapidly and exothermically with air that destructive pressures are generated when they are dispersed and ignited. The accompanying gas-dynamic phenomena are also considered in some detail in terms of rates of pressure rise, speed of flame propagation, confinement, turbulence, and propagation dynamics. The explosion probabilities in any given plant or facility can be quantified in terms of the state of dispersion of the dust, its lean limit concentration, and its ignitability characteristics (thermal, electrical, and chemical). Dust explosions are contrasted with gas explosions in terms of those factors. Other variables considered for the dusts include volatility, particle size, oxygen content of the dispersing "quo;air,"quo; initial temperature, initial pressure, the presence of added fuel gases, and inerting or extinguishing requirements. Data to be discussed include laboratory measurements and full-scale test results; phenomena to be considered include both the fundamental and the practical.