Dust Explosion

Do you know that

EXPLODE?

DUST can

eh, where can dust explode la

Dont tipu la..

I got see dust everyday what no explode also what
Yes ah, how come uh?

prove it?

And the most common,

really?

Many dont realize

THIS
Can give you

THIS

Combustible polyethylene dust accumulated above suspended ceilings at pharmaceutical plant

A fire at the plant caused dust to be dispersed and explode in the ceiling space 6 were killed, 38 injured Plant and nearby buildings were severely damaged The explosion involved a part of the building used to compound rubber

Imperial Sugar Company, Port Wentworth GA. Explosion and Fire Feb. 7, 2008 13 Dead and Numerous serious injuries

PERAI, Nov 8 2006(Bernama) Eight workers of a motorcycle wheel rim

factory, Excel Rim Sdn Bhd, in Prai industrial area here, were injured when a
DUST COLLECTOR MACHINE at the factory suddenly exploded and led to a fire that burned the facility to the ground.

Penang Fire and Rescue Department Assistant Director (Operations)

Mohamad Razam Taja Rahim said WORKERS WERE FLUNG BY THE FORCE OF THE EXPLOSION which occurred at 10.15am. LOSSES ESTIMATED AT OVER RM1 MILLION and the cause of the explosion is being investigated, he added. BERNAMA

Man, trapped in control room, killed in factory explosion at Seberang Perai Industrial Park

Fire is a rapid oxidation process with the evolution of light and heat in varying intensities.

Means to burn down Subsonic combustion (slower than the speed sound) It propagates through thermal conductivity (heat transfer)
Hot burning layer heats the next layer and ignites It goes through thermal conductivity of individual layers so it keeps travelling in the material and then ignites it

Deflagration

Dust explosion is a rapid oxidation of the particle surface

Fuel Ignition

Dispersion

Confinement

Oxygen

Explosive Pentagon

Increasing the surface to mass ratio allows less heat to dissipate into the mass.

static electricity friction

30%

9%

9% 9%

fire
hot surface self ignition welding smoulder spots unknown electrical equipment

3% 3%

11%

9%

6%

5%

6%

other
mechanical sparks

 Minimum

ignition energy Flammable limits Deflagration Index, KSt. Maximum Explosion Pressure Ease of dispersion in air

Expanding gases in the first vessel displaces unburned gases into the second, pre-compressing the mixture and increasing the peak explosion pressure

Example Ignition Path

20m3 to 4m3 Vessel 4m3 to 20m3 Vessel

Pressure Developed 75.9psi 95.0psi 210.0psi 83.4psi

Combustible dust are considered class 2 dusts Class 2 Combustible Dusts are divided into three groups. Group E : Metal Dusts Group F : Carbonaceous Dusts Group G : All the other dusts not found in Group E and F

In order for a dust explosion to occur it is necessary for the dust to be in suspension, and within its flammable range. A unique characteristic of dusts is their potential to accumulate on surfaces, and then to be re-suspended, a strong air movement or shock wave.

Primary deflagration inside process equipment

25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 300 325

Time, msec. (Timing of actual events may vary)

Shock wave caused by primary deflagration

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Time, msec.

Shock waves reflected by surfaces within the building cause accumulated dust to go into suspension

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Time, msec.

Dust clouds thrown in the air by the shock waves

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Time, msec.

Primary deflagration breaks out of the equipment enclosure - creating a source of ignition

25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 300 325

Time, msec.

Secondary deflagration ignited

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Time, msec.

Secondary Deflagration is propagated through the dust clouds

25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 300 325

Time, msec.

Secondary deflagration bursts from the building

25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 300 325

Time, msec.

Collapsed building with remaining fires

25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 300 325

Time, msec.

A crucial key to the reduction of fires and explosions is housekeeping. Housekeeping relates to hazards in addition to fires and explosions. Research has shown that facilities that are well maintained experience fewer fires, explosions and other accidents

DUST COLLECTORS Storage Enclosures (e.g., silos, bins, hoppers, etc.) Pneumatic Conveying Systems Air-Material Separators Size Reduction (e.g., hammermills, granulators, grinders, etc.) Material Feeding Devices (bucket elevators) Heating Equipment

Deflagration Venting Suppression Oxygen Reduction Deflagration venting through a listed dust retention and flame-arresting device Isolation (prevent propagation) chokes, rotary valves, flame front diverters, fast acting valves

Basically, explosion suppression is accomplished in the following steps.

1st

Control Detection Agent Injection Suppression

2nd

3rd

4th

Isolation

Venting

Fike Explosion Venting Fike Explosion Suppression Beethoven