Minimum ignition energy of mixtures of combustible dusts

Most industrial powder processes handle mixtures of various flammable powders. Consequently, hazard evaluation leads to a reduction of the disaster damage that arises from dust explosions. Determining the minimum ignition energy (MIE) of flammable mixtures is critical for identifying possibility of accidental hazard in industry. The aim of this work is to measure the critical ignition energy of different kinds of pure dusts with various particle sizes as well as mixtures thereof.The results show that even the addition of a modest amount of a highly flammable powder to a less combustible powder has a significant impact on the MIE. The MIE varies considerably when the fraction of the highly flammable powder exceeds 20%. For dust mixtures consisting of combustible dusts, the relationship between the ignition energy of the mixture and the minimum ignition energy of the components follows the so-called harmonic model based upon the volume fraction of the pure dusts in the mixture. This correlation provides results which show satisfactory agreement with the experimental values.     

The effects of phosphorus-free inhibitors on the ignition of lycopodium dust

The minimum ignition temperature of dust suspension (MIT) and the hot surface ignition temperature of the dust layer (LIT) are essential safety parameters for the process industry. However, the knowledge of the ignition behavior when solid mixtures of flammable fuels and phosphorous-free inhibitors are considered is still scarce and further experimental and theoretical analyses are requested. In this work, the ignition temperature of phosphorous-free inhibitors (coal fly ash and calcium carbonate) mixed with lycopodium dust have been studied in terms of LIT analysis (hot plate thickness: 5 mm, 12.5 mm and 15 mm), and by the Godbert-Greenwald test for the MIT. Both coal fly ash and calcium carbonate have been tested at different concentrations and particle sizes.Results show that the effects of the inhibitor can be counter-productive when layer ignition temperature is considered even if the minimum ignition temperature of the dust suspension shows a positive effect from the safety point of view. This behavior has been analyzed in the terms of thermal conductivity and diffusivity of the mixture, by using Maxwell's equation for two-phase solid mixtures. Standard empirical correlations for the ignition temperature of solid mixtures have been also tested, showing their weakness in reproducing mixture behavior.     

Inhibiting effects by Fe2O3 on combustion and explosion characteristics of ABS resin

The global increase in the use of, and reliance on, plastics has prompted the demand for acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin in various fields. With this increased requirement, numerous failures have occurred in the ABS process. Those incidents, resulting from electrostatic discharge, powder accumulation, heat accumulation, construction sparks, and plant fires, have caused dust fire and explosions.In this study, the ABS resin was gleaned from the site and tested for its explosion parameters, including minimum ignition temperature of dust cloud (MIT_C), minimum ignition energy (MIE), and minimum explosion concentration (MEC). To improve loss prevention in the manufacturing process, ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃) as an inert additive was added in the ABS powder. According to the MIE test, Fe₂O₃ has an apparent inhibiting effect on dust explosion for the ABS dust. With the proportion of Fe₂O₃ increased from 25 to 50 mass% in ABS, the MIE increased from 67 to 540 mJ. The explosion tests via 20-L apparatus indicated that Fe₂O₃ mixed with ABS could not increase the MEC significantly. However, the explosion pressure dropped by increasing in the ratio of Fe₂O₃ in ABS. This inerting strategy of ABS was deemed to substantially lessen the probability and severity of fire and explosion.     

Inhibiting effect of inhibitors on ignition sensitivity of wood dust

Wood products are easy to produce dust in the production and processing process, and have a serious explosion risk. In order to improve the safety of wood products production, the inhibiting effects of magnesium hydroxide (MTH), SiO₂, melamine polyphosphate (MPP) on the minimum ignition energy (MIE) and minimum ignition temperature (MIT) of wood dust were experimentally studied. The results showed that the inhibiting effects of inhibitors on the MIE of wood dust show the order of MPP > SiO₂>MTH. The order of the inhibiting effects on the MIT of wood dust was MPP > MTH > SiO_2. When 10% MPP was added to wood dust, the time when the flame appears (T_appear) and the time when the flame reaches the top of the glass tube (T_top) obviously rose to 80, 140 ms. Therefore, MPP had the best inhibiting effect on the ignition sensitivity of wood dust.According to thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests, the introduction of MPP leaded to lower maximum mass loss rate (MMLR), higher temperature corresponding to mass loss of 90% (T_0.1), residual mass and heat absorption. In addition, thermogravimetric analysis/infrared spectrometry (TG-IR) results showed that MPP produced H₂O (g) and NH₃ (g) during the thermal decomposition process, which diluted the oxygen.     

超细三七粉最小引燃温度实验研究

为研究三七粉着火燃烧的参数,用粉尘云引燃温度装置和粉尘层引燃温度装置,对三七粉的最小引燃温度(MIT)进行实验研究。分别研究喷吹压力、质量浓度、粉尘层厚度对MIT的影响。结果表明:三七粉尘云的质量在0.2 g时最小引燃温度随着喷尘压力的增加先减小再增大,在0.3 g到0.6 g时最小引燃温度随着喷尘压力的增加而增大;在压力20 kPa、30 kPa时随着质量浓度的增大,粉尘云引燃温度先减小后增大,在40 kPa到60 kPa时,随着质量浓度的增大,粉尘云引燃温度增大;粉尘云最小引燃温度高于粉尘层最小引燃温度;三七粉尘云的最小引燃温度399℃,粉尘层最小引燃温度240℃。     

Nex-Hys: minimum ignition temperature of hybrid mixtures

Although the minimum ignition temperature is an important safety characteristic and of practical relevance in industrial processes, actually only standard operation procedures are available for pure substances and single-phase values. Nevertheless, combinations of substances or mixtures are used in industrial processes and up to now it is not possible to provide a standardised minimum ignition temperature and in consequence to design a process safely with regard to the substances used.In order to get minimum ignition temperatures for frequently used hybrid mixtures, first, the minimum ignition temperatures and ignition frequencies were determined in the modified Godbert-Greenwald furnace for two single phase solids and a liquid substance. Second, minimum ignition temperatures and ignition frequencies were determined for several combinations as hybrid mixture of dust and liquid.In parallel to the determination of ignition temperatures a new camera and computer system to differentiate ignition from non-ignition is developed. First results are promising that such a system could be much less operator depended.By a high number of repetitions to classify regions of ignition the base is laid to decide about a new procedure for a hybrid standard and updating existing ones, too. This is one of the necessary aims to be reached in the Nex-Hys project.A noticeable decrease of minimum ignition temperatures below the MIT of the pure solids was observed for the one hybrid mixture tested, yet. Furthermore more widely dispersed area of ignition is shown. In accordance to previously findings, the results demonstrate a strong relationship between likelihood of explosion and amount of added solvent. In consequence the hybrid mixture is characterized by a lower minimum ignition temperature than the single dust.     

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。     

粉尘云浓度对HDPE粉尘云最低着火温度的影响

为准确评价高密度聚乙烯（HDPE）粉尘爆炸敏感性和开展有效的粉尘防爆工作,采用Godbert-Greenwald恒温炉标准实验装置研究了典型HDPE粉尘云最低着火温度的分布特性,着重探讨了粉尘云浓度对不同喷尘压力条件下HDPE粉尘云最低着火温度的影响规律。研究表明:测试条件下HDPE粉尘云最低着火温度的变化处于360~445 ℃范围,随粉尘云浓度的增加呈现先降低后升高的总体趋势,粉尘云浓度为1.111 kg/m3时出现拐点,且粉尘云最低着火温度随喷尘压力的增加而降低。     

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.     

不饱和聚酯树脂钮扣粉尘静电爆炸敏感性研究

针对某不饱和聚酯树脂钮扣厂在除尘设备维修过程中发生的粉尘爆炸事故,探究静电引起此次事故的可能性并提出防护措施。通过实验测定不饱和聚酯树脂钮扣粉尘的爆炸特性参数,进而确定其静电爆炸敏感性。结果发现:不饱和聚酯树脂钮扣粉尘云最小点火能MIE为4～10 mJ、最低着火温度MIT为480 ℃、粉尘层最低着火温度LIT＞400 ℃。表明,此粉尘属易燃粉尘,其粉尘爆炸敏感度极高,被静电火花点燃的可能性极大,在生产过程中,应采取静电防护措施。     

Experimental study on the influence of the nitrogen concentration in the air on the minimum ignition energies of combustible powders due to electrostatic discharges

As a useful method of preventing dust explosions, nitrogen (N₂), an incombustible gas, has been applied to an explosive atmosphere. This paper is a report that quantitatively determines whether the minimum ignition energy of powder depends on the nitrogen (or oxygen) concentration in the air. Hartman vertical-tube apparatus and six sample powders were used in this study. The results show that the minimum ignition energies of all of the powders used in this study increased with increased amounts of N₂ in the air. However, the effects were different in all of the sample powders. We finally suggest that the N₂ concentration of 84% (or above) prevents dust explosions due to electrostatic discharges in the industrial process with the sample powders used in this experiment.     

A numerical model for the prediction of the minimum ignition temperature of dust clouds

This paper presents a numerical model for the prediction of the minimum ignition temperature (MIT) of dust clouds. First, a physical model is developed for the dust cloud ignition in the Godbert-Greenwald furnace. A numerical approach is then applied for the MIT prediction based on the physical model. The model considers heat transfer between the air and dust particles, the dust particle reaction kinetics, and the residence times of dust clouds in the furnace. In general, for the 13 dusts studied, the calculated MIT data are in agreement with the experimental values. There is also great accordance between the experimental and numerical MIT variation trends against particle size. Two different ignition modes are discovered. The first one consists in ignition near the furnace wall for bigger particles characterized by rather short residence times. In the second mode, the ignition starts from the center of the furnace by self-heating of the dust cloud for smaller particles with longer residence times. For magnesium, as dust concentration increases, the lowest ignition temperature of the dust cloud IT(conc) decreases first, then transits to increase at a certain point. The transition happens at different dust concentrations for different particle sizes. Moreover, the MIT of the magnesium dust cloud generally increases as particle size increases, but the increasing trend stagnates within a certain medium particle size range.     

Ignition temperatures and flame velocities of metallic nanomaterials

The production of materials with dimensions in the nanometre range has continued to increase in recent years. In order to ensure safety when handling these products, the hazard potential of such innovative materials must be known. While several studies have already investigated the effects of explosions (such as maximum explosion pressure and maximum pressure rise) of powders with primary particles in the nanometre range, little is known about the ignition temperatures and flame velocities. Therefore, the minimum ignition temperature (MIT) of metallic nano powders (aluminium, iron, copper and zinc) was determined experimentally in a so called Godbert-Greenwald (GG) oven. Furthermore, the flame velocities were determined in a vertical tube. In order to better classify the test results, the tested samples were characterised in detail and the lower explosion limits of the tested dust samples were determined. Values for the burning velocity of aluminium nano powders are higher compared to values of micrometre powders (from literature). While MIT of nanometre aluminium powders is within the range of micrometre samples, MIT of zinc and copper nano powders is lower than values reported in literature for respective micrometre samples.     

Experimental study on ignitability of pure aluminum powders due to electrostatic discharges and Nitrogen's effect

In order to prevent dust explosions due to electrostatic discharges (ESD), this paper reports the minimum ignition energy (MIE) of aluminum powders in the air and the effective nitrogen (N₂) concentration for the inert technique. The Hartman vertical-tube apparatus and five kinds of different sized pure aluminum powders (median particle size, D50; 8.53 μm–51.2 μm) were used in this study. The statistic minimum ignition energy (MIE_s) of the most sensitive aluminum powder used in this study was 5 mJ, which was affected by the powder particle size (D50; 8.53 μm). In the case of aluminum powder, the inerting effects of N₂ were quite different from the polymer powders. The MIE of aluminum powder barely changed until the N₂ concentration was 89% in comparison with that of the normal air. When the N₂ concentration was 90%, the MIE of aluminum powders suddenly exceeded 1000 mJ, which does not occur easily with ESD in the industrial process.     

煤油共生矿区含油煤尘云最低着火温度试验研究

为研究煤油共生矿区含油煤尘最低着火温度的变化规律,选取3种含油浓度不同的煤样,采用粉尘云最低着火温度测定系统,研究含油煤尘云最低着火温度随含油浓度、喷尘压力及煤尘质量的变化规律。研究结果表明:含油煤尘的最低着火温度较不含油煤尘显著降低,且随着煤尘含油浓度的增加,煤尘中挥发分含量增多,煤尘云最低着火温度降低,爆炸危险性增强;低含油浓度煤尘,煤尘受原油挥发分影响较大,在含油浓度为5.7%,4.3%且质量浓度为1364~4550 g/m3时煤尘云最低着火温度随喷尘压力的增大呈先增大后减小的变化趋势,在5.7%,4.3%含油浓度且喷尘压力为0.05 MPa时煤尘MIT随煤尘质量浓度增加先降低后缓慢升高。高含油浓度煤尘,受煤尘团聚现象影响较大,煤尘云最低着火温度随喷尘压力的增加而升高,随煤尘质量的增加呈先减小后增大再缓慢减小的变化规律。     

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。     

粉尘云最小点火温度测试实验系统设计

通过对Godbert -Greenwald恒温炉分析与改造 ,设计了粉尘云最小点火温度实验装置 ,并建立了相应的测试系统。调试结果表明 ,该实验系统扬尘均匀性、温控精度及结果可重复性能良好     

煤岩混合型粉尘云最低着火温度试验研究

为研究半煤岩巷道中岩粉质量分数和煤的挥发分与煤岩混合型粉尘云最低着火温度的关系,选取挥发分差异较大的5种煤样以相同比例配制煤岩混合型粉尘,利用粉尘云最小点火温度测定仪进行煤岩混合型粉尘试验。结果表明,当煤岩混合型粉尘中岩粉质量分数低于40%时,岩粉的混合会导致混合型粉尘云最低着火温度发生小幅度波动;当岩粉质量分数高于40%时,煤岩混合型粉尘最低着火温度会随岩粉质量分数的增加而大幅度升高;挥发分质量分数越小的煤粉,其混合型粉尘云最低着火温度越容易受岩粉质量分数的影响。     

Electrostatic spark ignition of sensitive dust clouds of MIE<1 mJ

Accidental electrostatic sparks in industrial plant producing/handling powders/dusts occur whenever a non-earthed electrically conducting object has been charged tribo-electrically to a high voltage and suddenly discharges its energy to earth via an air gap of appropriate length. When assessing the electrostatic spark ignition hazard in an industrial plant, the parameters of prime concern are the capacitances C of electrically conducting plant items that may become charged tribo-electrically, the voltages U to which they may become charged, and the minimum electric spark ignition energies (MIE) of the dust clouds of concern. Whenever , there is a possibility of accidental electrostatic spark ignition.

Current standard apparatuses for determining MIE of dust clouds have a lower spark energy limit of 2–3 mJ. In an investigation by the present authors, discussed in detail elsewhere, a new spark generator capable of producing synchronized capacitive sparks of energies down to the order of 0.01 mJ was developed and used for testing a selection of ignition-sensitive powders for MIE. Several of the MIEs found were 1–2 orders of magnitude lower than the lower energy limit of current standard test apparatus. Other experiments by the present authors, also reported elsewhere, have shown that quite low MIEs can be found for some dusts even with a less optimal synchronization mechanism, which may occur accidentally in practice.

The main object of the present paper is to discuss possible practical concerns arising from the finding that clouds in air of some dusts can have very low MIEs. In such cases, one may have to pay attention to even minor C values, i.e. minor plant items. Alternatively, with larger C values, even quite low voltages may give rise to hazardous spark discharges.

However, some types of fine metal powders of low MIEs will quite readily form electrically conductive layers on the solid surfaces with which they make contact. Hence, electrostatic spark ignition inside process equipment containing such dusts may be less probable than in the case of process equipment containing non-conducting dusts of correspondingly low MIEs.

There may be a need for a new standard test method for determination of MIEs of dust clouds in the <1 mJ range.     

初始温度对湿法成型硫磺燃烧爆炸特性影响的试验研究

为了研究初始温度变化对湿法成型硫磺粉尘燃烧爆炸特性的影响,通过对初始温度分别为35℃、 45℃、 55℃、 65℃、 75℃的硫磺粉尘试样进行测试,发现随着初始温度的上升硫磺粉尘的粉尘云最低着火温度,粉尘云最小点火能逐渐降低;随着初始温度的上升硫磺粉尘的爆炸下限和粉尘层最低着火温度不发生变化。随着温度的升高,硫磺粉尘的燃烧爆炸危险性增加,因此在气温较高的夏秋季节要提高硫磺粉尘燃爆的防护等级。