Effect of pyrolysis and oxidation characteristics on lauric acid and stearic acid dust explosion hazards

The effect of pyrolysis and oxidation characteristics on the explosion sensitivity and severity parameters, including the minimum ignition energy MIE, minimum ignition temperature MIT, minimum explosion concentration MEC, maximum explosion pressure P_max, maximum rate of pressure rise (dP/dt)_max and deflagration index K_st, of lauric acid and stearic acid dust clouds was experimentally investigated. A synchronous thermal analyser was used to test the particle thermal characteristics. The functional test apparatuses including the 1.2 L Hartmann-tube apparatus, modified Godbert-Greenwald furnace, and 20 L explosion apparatus were used to test the explosion parameters. The results indicated that the rapid and slow weight loss processes of lauric acid dust followed a one-dimensional diffusion model (D1 model) and a 1.5 order chemical reaction model (F1.5 model), respectively. In addition, the rapid and slow weight loss processes of stearic acid followed a 1.5 order chemical reaction model (F1.5 model) and a three-dimensional diffusion model (D3 model), respectively, and the corresponding average apparent activation energy E and pre-exponential factor A were larger than those of lauric acid. The stearic acid dust explosion had higher values of MIE and MIT, which were mainly dependent on the higher pyrolysis and oxidation temperatures and the larger apparent activation energy E determining the slower rate of chemical bond breakage during pyrolysis and oxidation. In contrast, the lauric acid dust explosion had a higher MEC related to a smaller pre-exponential factor A with a lower amount of released reaction heat and a lower heat release rate during pyrolysis and oxidation. Additionally, due to the competition regime of the higher oxidation reaction heat release and greater consumption of oxygen during explosion, the explosion pressure P_m of the stearic acid dust was larger in low concentration ranges and decayed to an even smaller pressure than with lauric acid when the concentration exceeded 500 g/m³. The rate of explosion pressure rise (dP/dt)_m of the stearic acid dust was always larger in the experimental concentration range. The stearic acid dust explosion possessed a higher P_max, (dP/dt)_max and K_st mainly because of a larger pre-exponential factor A related to more active sites participating in the pyrolysis and oxidation reaction. Consequently, the active chemical reaction occurred more violently, and the temperature and overpressure rose faster, indicating a higher explosion hazard class for stearic acid dust.     

Collecting representative dust samples: A comparison of various sampling methods in underground coal mines

Former methods used in the U.S. to assess hazardous and explosible coal dust date back to the 1950s. As mining technologies advanced, so too have the hazards. Given the results of the recent coal dust particle size survey and full-scale experimental mine explosion tests, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommended a new minimum standard, in the absence of background methane, of 80% total incombustible content (TIC) be required in the intake airways of bituminous coal mines, replacing the previous 65% TIC requirement. Most important to monitoring and maintaining the 80% TIC is the ability to effectively collect and analyze representative dust samples that would likely disperse and participate in dust explosion propagation. Research has shown that dust suspended on elevated surfaces is usually finer, more reactive, and more readily dispersible while floor deposits of dust are generally coarser and more difficult to disperse given the same blast of air. The roof, rib, and floor portions of the dust samples were collected and analyzed for incombustible content separately and the results were compared to a band sample of the roof, rib, and floor components. Results indicate that the roof and rib dust samples should be kept separate from floor dust samples and considered individually for analyses. The various experimental collection methods are detailed along with preferred sampling approaches that improve the detectability of potentially hazardous accumulations of explosible dust.     

Evaluating the overall efficiency of a flameless venting device for dust explosions

Results from cornstarch explosion tests using a flameless venting device (mounted over a burst disc) on an 8 m³ vessel are presented and used to determine the overall efficiency of the device, which is defined as the ratio between its effective vent area and the nominal vent area. Because these devices are comprised of an arrestor element mounted over an impulsively-actuated venting device (such as a burst disc), the functional form of the overall efficiency is taken as the product of the area efficiency (i.e., the ratio between the effective vent area of the entire assembly to that of the venting device without the arrestor element) and the burst efficiency (i.e., the ratio of the effective vent area of the venting device without the arrestor element to the nominal vent area). The effective vent areas are calculated from measured overpressures using three different empirical correlations (FM Global 2001, NFPA 2007, and VDI 2002). Furthermore, due to significant variations in the effective reactivity from test to test, a correction factor proportional to the initial flame speed is applied when determining the area efficiency. In general, it was found that the FM Global and NFPA methodologies yield consistent results with less scatter than VDI 3673.     

Numerical study on premixing characteristics and explosion process of starch in a vertical pipe under turbulent flow

Fire and explosion accidents are frequently caused by combustible dust, which has led to increased interest in this area of research. Although scholars have performed some research in this field, they often ignored interesting phenomena in their experiments. In this paper, we established a 2D numerical method to thoroughly investigate the particle motion and distribution before ignition. The optimal time for the corn starch dust cloud to ignite was determined in a semi-closed tube, and the characteristics of the flame propagation and temperature field were investigated after ignition inside and outside the tube. From the simulation, certain unexpected phenomena that occurred in the experiment were explained, and some suggestions were proposed for future experiments. The results from the simulation showed that 60–70 ms was the best time for the dust cloud to ignite. The local high-temperature flame clusters were caused by the agglomeration of high-temperature particles, and there were no flames near the wall of the tube due to particles gathering and attaching to the wall. Vortices formed around the nozzle, where the particle concentration was low and the flame spread slowly. During the explosion venting, particles flew out of the tube before the flame. The venting flame exhibited a “mushroom cloud” shape due to interactions with the vortex, and the flame maintained this shape as it was driven upward by the vortex.     

Horizontal lifelines – review of regulations and simple design method considering anchorage rigidity

Among the many occupational risks construction workers encounter every day falling from a height is the most dangerous. The objective of this article is to propose a simple analytical design method for horizontal lifelines (HLLs) that considers anchorage flexibility. The article presents a short review of the standards and regulations/acts/codes concerning HLLs in Canada the USA and Europe. A static analytical approach is proposed considering anchorage flexibility. The analytical results are compared with a series of 42 dynamic fall tests and a SAP2000 numerical model. The experimental results show that the analytical method is a little conservative and overestimates the line tension in most cases with a maximum of 17%. The static SAP2000 results show a maximum 2.1% difference with the analytical method. The analytical method is accurate enough to safely design HLLs and quick design abaci are provided to allow the engineer to make quick on-site verification if needed.     

Research on different venting performance between flat and curved bursting panels

There is a noticeable discrepancy in the ability to control reduced explosion overpressure between flat bursting panels and curved bursting panels with the same static activation overpressure. Flat bursting plates were observed to leak at approximately 80% of the static activation overpressure lower than curved bursting plates. A new experimental technique is proposed in our paper. Three different vent areas of flat and curved bursting panels were tested, there was significant difference in structural stiffness between flat bursting panels and curved bursting panels, which is the reason the discrepancy in the ability to control reduced explosion overpressure. The structural stiffness of the flat bursting panels is poorer than that of the other, and a greater deformation of the flat bursting panels occurs under the same load. The membrane stress caused by the explosion overpressure therefore produces a larger value in the flat bursting panels which causes it to open prematurely. Moreover, the smaller the vent area that is, the more significant discrepancy in controlling the reduced explosion overpressure between both bursting panels is. This experimental and theoretical result in our paper provides some useful experience for the method of explosion venting.     

CFD simulations of dust dispersion in the 1 m3 explosion vessel

According to standard procedures, flammability and explosion parameters for dusts and dust mixtures are evaluated in 20 L and/or 1 m³ vessels, with equivalent results provided a correct ignition delay time (60 ms in the 20 L vessel; 600 ms in the 1 m³ vessel). In this work, CFD simulations of flow field and dust concentration distribution in the 1 m³ spherical vessel are performed, and the results compared to the data previously obtained for the 20 L. It has been found that in the 1 m³ vessel, the spatial distribution of the turbulent kinetic energy is lower and much more uniform. Concerning the dust distribution, as in the case of the 20 L, dust is mainly concentrated at the outer zones of the vortices generated inside the vessel. Furthermore, an incomplete feeding is attained, with most of the dust trapped in the perforated annular nozzle. Starting from the maps of dust concentration and turbulent kinetic energy, the deflagration index K_St is calculated in both vessels. In the conditions of the present work, the K_St is found to be 2.4 times higher in the 20 L than in the 1 m³ vessel.     

基于超低电容特性的微尘在线监测技术研究

为了更有效地测量工业烟尘排放浓度,研究了一种电容特性的微尘在线监测技术,利用电容传感器输出电压来反映粉尘质量。介绍了电容法测量粉尘量的原理、测量系统组成等,研究了粉尘质量与电容传感器输出电压的关系。对5种不同粉尘的测量结果进行分析表明,粉尘质量与电容传感器输出电压之间存在着一定的比例关系,其相关系数高达0.99。同时进行了微尘在线测量的研究,并采用电容特性曲线对测量系统进行了标定,从而验证了电容法在线微尘监测的可行性。     

Safer and stronger together? Effects of the agglomeration on nanopowders explosion

Among the factors influencing dust explosion, the particle size distribution (PSD) is both one of the most important and complex to consider. For instance, it is commonly accepted that the explosion sensitivity increases when the particle size decreases. Such an assertion may be questionable for nano-objects which easily agglomerate. However, agglomerates can be broken during the dispersion process. Correlating the explosion parameters to the actual PSD of a dust cloud at the moment of the ignition becomes then essential. The effects of the moisture content and sieving were investigated on a nanocellulose powder and the impact of a mechanical agglomeration was evaluated using a silicon coated by carbon powder. Each sample was characterized before and after dispersion using in situ laser particle size measurement and a fast mobility particle sizer, and explosion and minimum ignition energy tests were conducted respectively in a 20 L sphere and in a modified Hartmann tube. It was observed that drying and/or sieving the nanocellulose mainly led to variations in terms of ignition sensitivity but only slightly modified the explosion severity. In contrast, the mechanical agglomeration of the silicon coated by carbon led to a great decrease in terms of ignition sensitivity, with a minimum ignition energy varying from 5 mJ for the raw powder to more than 1J for the agglomerated samples. The maximum rate of pressure rise also decreased due to modifications in the reaction kinetics, inducing a transition from St2 class to St1 class when agglomerating the dust.     

车辆限行对道路和施工扬尘排放的影响

采用降尘法对道路和施工扬尘排放进行连续监测,通过限行之前和限行期间数据分析,研究了“好运北京”体育赛事期间机动车交通限行措施对道路和施工扬尘的消减情况、道路和施工扬尘对北京大气环境颗粒物的贡献率、道路和施工扬尘源占本地颗粒物排放总量的比重.结果表明,车辆限行措施对降低道路和施工扬尘的效果明显;环路限行期间降尘量平均值为0.27 g·(m²·d)^-1,限行之前1个月和限行之前7d降尘量平均值为0.81和0.59 g·(m²·d)^-1,主干道和次干道限行期间降尘量平均值为0.21 g·(m²·d)^-1,限行之前1个月和限行之前7 d降尘量平均值为0.54和0.58 g·(m²·d)^-1,道路降尘量下降了60%～70%;限行期间民用建筑施工降尘量平均值为0.27 g·(m²·d)^-1,限行之前20 d为1.15 g·(m²·d)^-1,限行期间公用建筑施工降尘量平均值为1.06 g·(m²·d)^-1,限行之前20 d为1.55 g·(m²·d)^-1,施工降尘下降30%～47%;道路和施工扬尘是北京市颗粒物污染的主要来源,其对环境PM₁₀的贡献率为21%～36%;当本地污染源PM₁₀排放量占环境总量的50%和70%时,道路和施工扬尘PM₁₀排放量分别占本地污染源的42%～72%和30%～51%.