Explosion behaviour of metallic nano powders

This paper describes experiences and results of experiments with several metallic dusts within the nanometer range. The nano dusts (aluminium, iron, zinc, titanium and copper) were tested in a modified experimental setup for the test apparatus 20 L-sphere (also known as 20-L Siwek Chamber), that enables the test samples to be kept under inert atmospheric conditions nearly until ignition. This setup was already introduced in earlier papers by the authors. It was designed to allow the determination of safety characteristics of nano powders under most critical circumstances (e.g. minimisation of the influence of oxidation before the test itself). Furthermore the influence of passivation on explosion behaviour is investigated and additional tests with deposited dust were carried out to describe the burning behaviour of all dusts. For a better characterisation all samples were tested with a simultaneous thermal analysis (STA). To minimise the influence of oxidation all samples were handled at inert conditions until shortly before ignition or start of the test respectively.     

Explosion temperatures and pressures of metals and other elemental dust clouds

The Pittsburgh Research Laboratory of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a study of the explosibility of various metals and other elemental dusts, with a focus on the experimental explosion temperatures. The data are useful for understanding the basics of dust cloud combustion, as well as for evaluating explosion hazards in the minerals and metals processing industries. The dusts studied included boron, carbon, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, sulfur, titanium, chromium, iron, nickel, copper, zinc, niobium, molybdenum, tin, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, and lead. The dusts were chosen to cover a wide range of physical properties—from the more volatile materials such as magnesium, aluminum, sulfur, and zinc to the highly “refractory” elements such as carbon, niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, and tungsten. These flammability studies were conducted in a 20-L chamber, using strong pyrotechnic ignitors. A unique multiwavelength infrared pyrometer was used to measure the temperatures. For the elemental dusts studied, all ignited and burned as air-dispersed dust clouds except for nickel, copper, molybdenum, and lead. The measured maximum explosion temperatures ranged from 1550 K for tin and tungsten powders to 2800 K for aluminum, magnesium, and titanium powders. The measured temperatures are compared to the calculated, adiabatic flame temperatures.     

Characterization of Ti powders mixed with TiO2 powders: Thermal and kinetic studies

The fire and explosion risks of metal powders admixed with solid inertants have been extensively investigated for many years. However, it remains unclear why such solid mixtures have high potential fire and explosion risk even when mixed with high percentages of non-combustible solids. This paper investigates how to interpret these risks, from a microscopic perspective, with thermal and kinetic parameters including initial ignition temperature, mass unit exothermic energy, activation energy and risk index of spontaneous combustion. The results show that the initial ignition temperature based on TG (Thermogravimetry) analysis is related to ignition sensitivity, and increased with percentage of admixed solid inertant. The unit mass exothermic energy based on DSC (Differential scanning calorimetry) analysis is related to flame spread velocity. Activation energy and the risk index of spontaneous combustion can be used to explain the reactivity and spontaneous combustion hazard, respectively, of metal powders. We conclude that thermal and kinetic parameters may provide another way to describe the fire and explosion risk of combustible powders, especially for nano metal powders due to the laboratory safety in the normative tests for explosion parameter determination.     

4种典型易燃烟煤的着火特性分析*

为了研究典型易燃烟煤的着火特性,预防和控制煤尘爆炸,采用粉尘云最低着火温度实验装置和同步热分析仪,分别研究崔木长焰煤、东荣二矿气煤、察哈素不粘煤和丁集焦煤4种烟煤在不同条件下的煤尘云最低着火温度和煤尘热解过程。研究结果表明:当煤尘云浓度从0.90 kg/m3上升到5.99 kg/m3时,4种煤尘的最低着火温度先降后升,在1.50 kg/m3煤尘云浓度时,4种煤尘的最低着火温度均达到最小,分别为450,580,610,620 ℃。随着升温速率的升高,煤的着火温度、峰值温度、燃尽温度和煤样最大放热量整体呈上升趋势,失重率整体呈下降趋势,在5~20 ℃/min的升温速率范围内,崔木长焰煤、东荣二矿气煤、察哈素不粘煤和丁集焦煤热解过程中的最小着火温度分别为354.17,404.37,443.18,484.13 ℃。4种烟煤的最低着火温度和热解过程中的最小着火温度有相对应关系,研究结论可为以上4个煤矿的具体煤样研究和数据分析提供参考依据。     

An investigation on the dust explosion of micron and nano scale aluminium particles

A series of dust explosion were conducted to compare the flame structure between nano and micron aluminium dusts. Two-color pyrometer technique is applied to have qualitative observation of flame development. Measurement of temperature indicates that explosion in micron aluminium dust clouds start in a single spot at 3000 K, in contrast, explosion in nano aluminium dust clouds start when hot powder accumulated to a certain amount at lower temperature of 2600 K. For micron aluminium dust clouds, flame at leading edge has the highest temperature and propagates in all directions. On the other hand, flame in nano aluminium dust clouds propagate only upward with the hottest part left behind at the downside. As flame propagates, the temperature at top edge gradually decreases from 2600 K to finally 2000 K, but temperature at bottom edge maintains in 3000 K with no significant displacement. The unevenness of flame structure is considered as the consequence of different particle densities, which suggests that the reaction of nano aluminium particles stays in molten state, meanwhile, the high surface area also leads to unignorable heat loss.     

Minimum ignition temperatures and explosion characteristics of micron-sized aluminium powder

To forestall, control, and mitigate the detrimental effects of aluminium dust, a 20-L near-spherical dust explosion experimental system and an HY16429 type dust-cloud ignition temperature test device were employed to explore the explosion characteristics of micron-sized aluminium powder under different ignition energies, dust particle sizes, and dust cloud concentration (C_dust) values; the minimum ignition temperature (MIT) values of aluminium powder under different dust particle sizes and C_dust were also examined. Flame images at different times were photographed by a high-speed camera. Results revealed that under similar dust-cloud concentrations and with dust particle size increasing from 42.89 to 141.70 μm, the MIT of aluminium powder increased. Under various C_dust values, the MIT of aluminium dust clouds attained peak value when concentrations enhanced. Furthermore, the increase of ignition energy contributed to the increase of the explosion pressure (P_ex) and the rate of explosion pressure rise [(dP/dt)_ex]. When dust particle size was augmented gradually, the P_ex and (dP/dt)_ex attenuated. Decreasing particle size lowered both the most violent explosion concentration and explosive limits.     

Risk assessment method of polyethylene dust explosion based on explosion parameters

The explosion characteristic parameters of polyethylene dust were systematically investigated. The variations in the maximum explosion pressure (P_max), explosion index (K_st), minimum ignition energy (MIE), minimum ignition temperature (MIT), and minimum explosion concentration (MEC) of dust samples with different particle sizes were obtained. Using experimental data, a two-dimensional matrix analysis method was applied to classify the dust explosion severity based on P_max and K_st. Then, a three-dimensional matrix was used to categorize the dust explosion sensitivity based on three factors: MIE, MIT, and MEC. Finally, a two-dimensional matrix model of dust explosion risk assessment was established considering the severity and sensitivity. The model was used to evaluate the explosion risk of polyethylene dust samples with different particle sizes. It was found that the risk level of dust explosion increased with decreasing particle size, which was consistent with the actual results. The risk assessment method can provide a scientific basis for dust explosion prevention in the production of polyethylene.     

Explosibility of micron- and nano-size titanium powders

Explosibility of micron- and nano-titanium was determined and compared according to explosion severity and likelihood using standard dust explosion equipment. ASTM methods were followed using a Siwek 20-L explosion chamber, MIKE 3 apparatus and BAM oven. The explosibility parameters investigated for both size ranges of titanium include explosion severity (maximum explosion pressure (P_max) and size-normalized maximum rate of pressure rise (K_St)) and explosion likelihood (minimum explosible concentration (MEC), minimum ignition energy (MIE) and minimum ignition temperature (MIT)). Titanium particle sizes were ?100 mesh (<150 μm), ?325 mesh (<45 μm), ≤20 μm, 150 nm, 60–80 nm, and 40–60 nm. The results show a significant increase in explosion severity as the particle size decreases from ?100 mesh with an apparent plateau being reached at ?325 mesh and ≤20 μm. Micron-size explosion severity could not be compared with that for nano-titanium due to pre-ignition of the nano-powder in the 20-L chamber. The likelihood of an explosion increases significantly as the particle size decreases into the nano range. Nano-titanium is very sensitive and can self-ignite under the appropriate conditions. The explosive properties of the nano-titanium can be suppressed by adding nano-titanium dioxide to the dust mixture. Safety precautions and procedures for the nano-titanium are also discussed.     

Dust explosions: How should the influence of humidity be taken into account?

In this work, the influence of humidity on dust explosions of metallic (aluminium) and organic materials (icing sugar, polyethylene and magnesium stearate) has been studied. The impact of pre-humidification of powders on their ignition sensitivity, their volume resistivity and charge decay time has been assessed. The influence of humidity on explosion severity has also been studied by two methods: on the one hand, the dust sample was stored in a controlled workstation at constant relative humidity; on the other hand, the dry dust was dispersed in a humidity controlled atmosphere in the vessel.As expected, the effect of humidity strongly depends on the chemical nature of the particles. Experiments on powders volume resistivity and charge decay time have shown typical trends but have especially pointed out the inadequacy of some standards. Inhibition phenomena have been verified for polyethylene and magnesium stearate, whereas both inhibition and promotion have been observed for icing sugar and could be explained by an evolution of sucrose structure. Dry aluminium dust explosions in humid atmosphere show that water vapour inerts the explosion. However, when aluminium is stored at controlled humidity, the maximum rise of pressure rate increases with the water content, which is probably due to hydrogen generation.     

Effect of flame propagation regime on pressure evolution of nano and micron PMMA dust explosions

Experiments using an open space dust explosion apparatus and a standard 20 L explosion apparatus on nano and micron polymethyl methacrylate dust explosions were conducted to reveal the differences in flame and pressure evolutions. Then the effect of combustion and flame propagation regimes on the explosion overpressure characteristics was discussed. The results showed that the flame propagation behavior, flame temperature distribution and ion current distribution all demonstrated the different flame structures for nano and micron dust explosions. The combustion and flame propagation of 100 nm and 30 μm PMMA dust clouds were mainly controlled by the heat transfer efficiency between the particles and external heat sources. Compared with the cluster diffusion dominant combustion of 30 μm dust flame, the premixed-gas dominant combustion of 100 nm dust flame determined a quicker pyrolysis and combustion reaction rate, a faster flame propagation velocity, a stronger combustion reaction intensity, a quicker heat release rate and a higher amount of released reaction heat, which resulted in an earlier pressure rise, a larger maximum overpressure and a higher explosion hazard class. The complex combustion and propagation regime of agglomerated particles strongly influenced the nano flame propagation and explosion pressure evolution characteristics, and limited the maximum overpressure.     

Combining product engineering and inherent safety to improve the powder impregnation process

The functionalization of nonwoven textiles can be realized by dry powder impregnation. In order to develop and improve this process, two complementary approaches have been combined: product engineering and inherent safety. It consists in integrating ab-initio consumers' requirements, production constraints as well as safety and environmental considerations. This case study is focused on the proposal, the characterization and the selection of powders mixtures of flame retardants and copolyesters, which will be used to create fire-proofed textiles. The influences of the chemical natures of the flame retardant (e.g. calcium carbonate, aluminium trihydroxide, ammonium polyphosphates), their respective concentrations, particle diameters and the addition of silica to flame retardant/polymer mixtures on their minimum ignition energy has been investigated. It has been determined that ammonium polyphosphates are far more efficient than other flame-retardants and that a minimum of 20%wt. concentration is needed to generate a powder mixture that will be almost insensitive to ignition by an electrostatic source. Modifying the particle size distribution and introducing glidants play also a significant role on flame retardant/polymer interactions, on powder dispersibility and has a strong impact on the minimum ignition energy. Finally, the formulations which have been selected fulfill the requirements for fire resistance, flowability, prevention of dust explosion; they are non-toxic, environmentally friendly and their cost is reduced.     

Experimental study on vented gas explosion in a cylindrical vessel with a vent duct

A study of vented explosions in a length over diameter (L/D) of 2 in cylindrical vessel connecting with a vent duct (L/D = 7) is reported. The influence of vent burst pressure and ignition locations on the maximum overpressure and flame speeds at constant vent coefficient, K of 16.4 were investigated to elucidate how these parameters affect the severity of a vented explosion. Propane and methane/air mixtures were studied with equivalence ratio, Φ ranges from 0.8 to 1.6. It is demonstrated that end ignition exhibited higher maximum overpressures and flame speeds in comparison to central ignition, contrary to what is reported in literature. There was a large acceleration of the flame toward the duct due to the development of cellular flames and end ignition demonstrated to have higher flame speeds prior to entry into the vent due to the larger flame distance. The higher vent flow velocities and subsequent flame speeds were responsible for the higher overpressures obtained. Rich mixtures for propane/air mixtures at Φ = 1.35 had the greatest flame acceleration and the highest overpressures. In addition, the results showed that Bartknecht's gas explosion venting correlation is grossly overestimated the overpressure for K = 16.4 and thus, misleading the impact of the vent burst pressure.     

Explosibility of polyamide and polyester fibers

The current research is aimed at investigating the explosion behavior of hazardous materials in relation to aspects of particulate size. The materials of study are flocculent (fibrous) polyamide 6.6 (nylon) and polyester (polyethylene terephthalate). These materials may be termed nontraditional dusts due to their cylindrical shape which necessitates consideration of both particle diameter and length. The experimental work undertaken is divided into two main parts. The first deals with the determination of deflagration parameters for polyamide 6.6 (dtex 3.3) for different lengths: 0.3 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.75 mm, 0.9 mm and 1 mm; the second involves a study of the deflagration behavior of polyester and polyamide 6.6 samples, each having a length of 0.5 mm and two different values of dtex, namely 1.7 and 3.3. (Dtex or decitex is a unit of measure for the linear density of fibers. It is equivalent to the mass in grams per 10,000 m of a single filament, and can be converted to a particle diameter.) The explosibility parameters investigated for both flocculent materials include maximum explosion pressure (P_max), size-normalized maximum rate of pressure rise (K_St), minimum explosible concentration (MEC), minimum ignition energy (MIE) and minimum ignition temperature (MIT). ASTM protocols were followed using standard dust explosibility test equipment (Siwek 20-L explosion chamber, MIKE 3 apparatus and BAM oven). Both qualitative and quantitative analyses were undertaken as indicated by the following examples. Qualitative observation of the post-explosion residue for polyamide 6.6 indicated a complex interwoven structure, whereas the polyester residue showed a shiny, melt-type appearance. Quantitatively, the highest values of P_max and K_St were obtained at the shortest length and finest dtex for a given material. For a given length, polyester displayed a greater difference in P_max and K_St at different values of dtex than polyamide 6.6. Long ignition delay times were observed in the BAM oven (MIT measurements) for polyester, and video framing of explosions in the MIKE 3 apparatus (MIE measurements) enabled observation of secondary ignitions caused by flame propagation after the initial ignition occurring at the spark electrodes.     

Niacin,lycopodium and polyethylene powder explosibility in 20-L and 1-m3 test chambers

An experimental program has been undertaken to investigate the explosibility of selected organic dusts. The work is part of a larger research project aimed at examination of a category of combustible dusts known as marginally explosible. These are materials that appear to explode in laboratory-scale test chambers, but which may not produce appreciable overpressures and rates of pressure rise in intermediate-scale chambers. Recent work by other researchers has also demonstrated that for some materials, the reverse occurs – i.e., values of explosion parameters are higher in a 1-m³ chamber than one with a volume of 20 L. Uncertainties can therefore arise in the design of dust explosion risk reduction measures.The following materials were tested in the current work: niacin, lycopodium and polyethylene, all of which are well-known to be combustible and which cover a relatively wide range of explosion consequence severity. The concept of marginal explosibility was incorporated by testing both fine and coarse fractions of polyethylene. Experiments were conducted at Dalhousie University using the following equipment: (i) Siwek 20-L explosion chamber for determination of maximum explosion pressure (P_max), volume-normalized maximum rate of pressure rise (K_St), and minimum explosible concentration (MEC), (ii) MIKE 3 apparatus for determination of minimum ignition energy (MIE), and (iii) BAM oven for determination of minimum ignition temperature (MIT). Testing was also conducted at Fauske & Associates, LLC using a 1-m³ explosion chamber for determination of P_max, K_St and MEC. All equipment were calibrated against reference dusts, and relevant ASTM methodologies were followed in all tests.The explosion data followed known trends in accordance with relevant physical and chemical phenomena. For example, P_max and K_St values for the fine sample of polyethylene were higher than those for the coarse sample because of the decrease in particle size. MEC values for all samples were comparable in both the 20-L and 1-m³ chambers. P_max and K_St values compared favorably in the different size vessels except for the coarse polyethylene sample. In this case, K_St determined in a volume of 1 m³ was significantly higher than the value from 20-L testing. The fact that the 20-L K_St was low (23 bar m/s) does not indicate marginal explosibility of the coarse polyethylene. This sample is clearly explosible as evidenced by the measured values of MEC, MIE, MIT, and 1-m³ K_St (at both 550 and 600 ms ignition delay times).     

Distinction between the upper explosion limit and the lower cool flame limit in determination of flammability limit at elevated conditions

Previous research showed that at certain conditions, close to the flammability range exists a regime where cool flame may develop either due to elevated temperature or it may be initiated by an ignition source. Propagation of the cool flame in a closed test vessel may double the initial pressure. Such pressure increase exceeds recommended ignition criteria for explosion limit determination that are based on 5 or 7% of pressure rise leading to inaccurate classification of the oxidation phenomena, i.e. cool flame propagation may be classified as hot flame propagation.Two mixtures were tested: n-butane-oxygen (extensively) and C1–C2–oxygen (in limited range), which represent a typical composition in ethylene oxide production, at elevated conditions at their upper explosion limits. Flame development was analysed by flame emission spectroscopy and the post-oxidation mixture was analysed by gas chromatography (GC) to characterise the oxidation mechanism of the flame. Additionally explosion pressure rise, flame temperature, and maximum rate of pressure rise were measured. In all experiments with the pressure rise ratio below two the low temperature oxidation mechanism assisted the flame propagation.     

Influence of the oxide content on the ignition energies of aluminium powders

Some results of determination of ignition energies for an aluminium powder with various oxide contents are presented. Common use of processes like high-speed cutting produce explosive dust clouds, so that we focused this study on hazard of metallic powders. An industrial aluminium powder has been used for this work. An original process, based on the principle of electrochemical anodisation, has been developed to increase, under control, the oxide coating of particles.

The sensitivity study to spark ignition was performed in an Hartmann explosion tube of 1.3L. The Langlie test method was applied to evaluate the energies leading to a probability of ignition of 50% (E₅₀) of the selected samples. The results confirm that the ignition energies increase with the oxide content of the powder.     

Suppression effects of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate dry powder and melamine pyrophosphate powder on an aluminium dust cloud explosion

Selecting a suitable flame-retardant powder is essential for preventing or reducing the risk of aluminium dust cloud explosions. Two types of retardant materials were studied, namely ABC powder (a flame-retardant powder mainly composed of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate dry powder) and melamine pyrophosphate powder (MPP). A specially designed rectangular pipe was used to examine the influences and mass fractions of the aforementioned flame retardants and the effects of compounds on maximum explosion pressure and maximum explosion pressure rate of increase. The results showed that the explosion-suppression effects of MPP powder were superior to those of ABC powder. Furthermore, the suppression effects of combining ABC and MPP to form compounds in various ratios were explored. The explosion-suppression effects of the single flame-retardant powders and flame-retardant powder compound were compared, which revealed that the effects of the flame-retardant compound were intermediate to those of ABC and MPP used separately. No synergistic effect was observed in the compound retardant. However, component mass fractions influenced the retardant properties of the compound. The suppression mechanism was investigated through thermal analysis, which revealed that the decomposition of the two flame-retardant powders was an endothermic process that generated inert gas. The addition of flame-retardant powder delayed the time required by aluminium to break through its oxide film. However, the thermal analysis curve of the compound overlapped those of the two single powders, and no new chemical reaction occurred. Thus, no change was observed in the efficacy of the flame-retardant properties.     

障碍物对油气-空气混合气体泄压爆炸火焰传播特性影响

为了研究障碍物对油气泄压爆炸火焰传播特性的影响规律,进行了不同数量障碍物工况下的对比实验,并利用纹影仪和高速摄影仪记录了火焰传播过程,针对障碍物对火焰形态、火焰锋面位置及火焰传播速度的影响规律进行了研究,结果表明:圆柱体障碍物会导致油气泄压爆炸火焰形态产生褶皱和弯曲变形,诱导层流火焰向湍流火焰转变,加速火焰的传播,对油气泄压爆炸火焰的初始传播形态有显著影响;随着障碍物数量的增多,火焰锋面传播距离点火端的最大距离增大,但到达最远距离的时间减少;障碍物能够增强火焰的传播速度,尤其对障碍物下游火焰影响最为显著,随着障碍物数量的增多,火焰传播的最大速度也随之增大,但达到最大火焰传播速度的时间却随之减少;障碍物的存在增大了油气泄压爆炸过程外部爆炸压力,并且随着障碍物数量的增多,外部爆炸压力峰值增长幅度增大。     

超细聚苯乙烯微球粉体的燃爆特性研究

为研究超细聚苯乙烯微球粉体的燃爆特性,通过粉尘层最低着火温度测试装置、MIE-D1.2最小点火能测试装置、20 L球形爆炸测试装置,对其最低着火温度、最大爆炸压力、最小点火能量(MIE)等爆炸特性参数进行测定,探讨了加热温度、点火延滞时间、粉尘质量浓度、粉尘粒径对粉体燃爆特性的影响。结果表明:超细聚苯乙烯微球粉尘层在350℃左右时会发生无焰燃烧,且加热温度越高,粉体粒径越小,粉尘层发生着火时所需的时间越短;当粉体质量浓度为250 g/m3时,最大爆炸压力达到0.65 MPa,质量浓度为500 g/m3时,最大爆炸压力的上升速率达90 MPa/s以上;随点火延滞时间增加,最小点火能表现出先缓慢减小再急剧增大的规律;随粉尘质量浓度增加,最小点火能逐渐降低,当粉尘质量浓度超过500g/m3后逐渐趋于稳定。     

超细CaCO3惰化剂对铝合金抛光伴生粉尘爆炸的防控效果*

为探究超细粉体惰化剂对铝合金抛光伴生粉尘爆炸特性的影响规律,利用标准化实验装置及自行搭建的实验平台,在对爆炸基本参数进行测试的基础上,分别研究超细CaCO3粉体对抛光废弃物粉尘点燃敏感度的钝化作用以及对爆炸火焰传播进程的惰化效果,并在相同条件下与同等粒径高纯度铝粉的实验效果进行比对。研究结果表明:铝合金抛光废弃物粉尘最小点火能量为280 mJ,而同等粒径高纯度铝粉最小点火能量为35 mJ;在铝合金抛光废弃物粉尘质量浓度为300 g/m3条件下,发生爆炸的火焰传播速度峰值为7.4 m/s,约为高纯度铝粉的57%,铝合金抛光废弃物粉尘的爆炸敏感度及猛烈度均低于高纯度铝粉;当超细CaCO3粉体的惰化比为30%时,可将铝合金抛光废弃物粉尘的最小点火能量钝化至约1 J,爆炸火焰失去持续传播能力,惰化作用效果充分显现。