Applications of intrinsic safety characteristic parameters of propellant dust: Commercial multi-tube pyrotechnic hazard assessment

Fireworks are widely used in festivals around the world, but the safety issue during preparation the manufacture, storage, and operation of pyrotechnics has also been highly valued. Human operation error and insufficient recognition of the safety characteristics of pyrotechnics are the main factors in pyrotechnic incidents in Taiwan. This study considers thermal and explosion safety by electrostatic sensitivity, minimum ignition temperature, and explosion characteristics of propellant dust in commercial multi-tube pyrotechnics. The results show that propellant dust is not sensitive to static electricity, but it was ignited at 260 °C environment temperature. The lower explosion limit of propellant dust was 125–150 g/m³, which provided an effective control of the dust concentration in the workplace. It was also found that the explosive level of the propellant dust belonged to St-1, which is exceptionally close to St-2 explosion influence, and that cannot be ignored. The high temperature associated with the explosion reminded that after the firework is launched, it should be cooled before leaving. Combining the above results, this research suggests the environmental operation temperature and dust concentration should be controlled within a safer range to effectively avoid the occurrence of dust fire or explosion and substantially enhance the safety of the pyrotechnic industry.     

Individual particle analysis of aerosols collected at Lhasa City in the Tibetan Plateau

To understand the composition and major sources of aerosol particles in Lhasa City on the Tibetan Plateau (TP), individual particles were collected from 2 February to 8 March, 2013 in Tibet University. The mean concentrations of both PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ during the sampling were 25.7 ± 21.7 and 57.2 ± 46.7 μg/m³, respectively, much lower than those of other cities in East and South Asia, but higher than those in the remote region in TP like Nam Co, indicating minor urban pollution. Combining the observations with the meteorological parameters and back trajectory analysis, it was concluded that local sources controlled the pollution during the sampling. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) combined with energydispersive X-ray spectra (EDS) was used to study 408 particles sampled on four days. Based on the EDS analysis, a total of 8 different particle categories were classified for all 408 particles, including Si-rich, Ca-rich, soot, K-rich, Fe-rich, Pb-rich, Al-rich and other particles. The dominant elements were Si, Al and Ca, which were mainly attributed to mineral dust in the earth's crust such as feldspar and clay. Fe-, Pb-, K-, Al-rich particles and soot mainly originated from anthropogenic sources like firework combustion and biomass burning during the sampling. During the sampling, the pollution mainly came from mineral dust, while the celebration ceremony and religious ritual produced a large quantity of anthropogenic metal-bearing particles on 9 and 25 February 2013. Cement particles also had a minor influence. The data obtained in this study can be useful for developing pollution control strategies.     

春节除夕燃放烟花爆竹对环境空气质量影响分析

结合2003—2014年南京城区春节除夕前后主要空气污染物监测数据,分析烟花爆竹集中燃放时空气污染指数及PM10、SO2、NO2质量浓度的变化趋势。指出除夕燃放烟花爆竹会引起PM10、SO2、NO2质量浓度上升,在大气扩散条件不佳的情况下影响了环境空气质量。建议在大中城市城区采取适当的禁放措施,并加快研制安全环保型的烟花爆竹替代产品。     

Ambient air quality of Lucknow City (India) during use of fireworks on Diwali Festival

The present study deals with the effect of fireworks on ambient air quality during Diwali Festival in Lucknow City. In this study, PM₁₀, SO₂, NO _x and 10 trace metals associated with PM₁₀ were estimated at four representative locations, during day and night times for Pre Diwali (day before Diwali) and Diwali day. On Diwali day 24 h average concentration of PM₁₀, SO₂, and NO _x was found to be 753.3, 139.1, and 107.3 μg m⁻³, respectively, and these concentrations were found to be higher at 2.49 and 5.67 times for PM₁₀, 1.95 and 6.59 times for SO₂ and 1.79 and 2.69 for NO _x , when compared with the respective concentration of Pre Diwali and normal day, respectively. On Diwali day, 24 h values for PM₁₀, SO₂, and NO _x were found to be higher than prescribed limit of National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS), and exceptionally high (7.53 times) for PM₁₀. On Diwali night (12 h) mean level of PM₁₀, SO₂ and NO _x was 1,206.2, 205.4 and 149.0 μg m⁻³, respectively, which was 4.02, 2.82 and 2.27 times higher than their respective daytime concentrations and showed strong correlations (p < 0.01) with each other. The 24 h mean concentration of metals associated with PM₁₀ was found to be in the order of Ca (3,169.44) > Fe (747.23) > Zn (542.62) > Cu (454.03), > Pb (307.54) > Mn (83.90) > Co (78.69) > Cr (42.10) > Ni (41.47) > Cd (34.69) in ng m⁻³ and all these values were found to be higher than the Pre Diwali (except Fe) and normal day. The metal concentrations on Diwali day were found to be significantly different than normal day (except Fe & Cu). The concentrations of Co, Ni, Cr and Cd on Diwali night were found to be significantly higher than daytime concentrations for Pre Diwali (control). The inter correlation of metals between Ca with Pb, Zn with Ni and Cr, Cu with Co, Co with Mn, Ni with Cd, Mn with Cd, Ni with Cd and Cr, and Cr with Cd showed significant relation either at p < 0.05 or P < 0.01 levels, which indicated that their sources were the same. The metals Cu, Co, Ni, Cr and Cd showed significant (p < 0.01) association with PM₁₀. These results indicate that fireworks during Diwali festival affected the ambient air quality adversely due to emission and accumulation of PM₁₀, SO₂, NO _x and trace metals. ITRC Communication Number 2538     

烟花爆竹生产事故概率分析与对策

近年来 ,烟花爆竹事故频频发生 ,通过事故概率分析 ,掌握某些规律 ,认为“事故难免论”是错误的 ,但也不提倡没有根据的“事故可以杜绝论” ,应该时刻牢记“事故有随时可能发生”这一严厉的事实 ,提倡“不怕一万 ,只防万一”安全生产的正确、谨慎、有科学根据的态度 ,并提出相应的基本安全对策     

Individual particle analysis of aerosols collected at Lhasa City in the Tibetan Plateau

To understand the composition and major sources of aerosol particles in Lhasa City on the Tibetan Plateau (TP), individual particles were collected from 2 February to 8 March, 2013 in Tibet University. The mean concentrations of both PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ during the sampling were 25.7 ± 21.7 and 57.2 ± 46.7 μg/m³, respectively, much lower than those of other cities in East and South Asia, but higher than those in the remote region in TP like Nam Co, indicating minor urban pollution. Combining the observations with the meteorological parameters and back trajectory analysis, it was concluded that local sources controlled the pollution during the sampling. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectra (EDS) was used to study 408 particles sampled on four days. Based on the EDS analysis, a total of 8 different particle categories were classified for all 408 particles, including Si-rich, Ca-rich, soot, K-rich, Fe-rich, Pb-rich, Al-rich and other particles. The dominant elements were Si, Al and Ca, which were mainly attributed to mineral dust in the earth's crust such as feldspar and clay. Fe-, Pb-, K-, Al-rich particles and soot mainly originated from anthropogenic sources like firework combustion and biomass burning during the sampling. During the sampling, the pollution mainly came from mineral dust, while the celebration ceremony and religious ritual produced a large quantity of anthropogenic metal-bearing particles on 9 and 25 February 2013. Cement particles also had a minor influence. The data obtained in this study can be useful for developing pollution control strategies.