Dust Hazards

Most solid materials that can be ignited can form an explosive dust cloud if the particle size of the solid is small enough. Special attention should be pay to identification of accumulation of dust and powders in plants and to specified safe operating procedures for handling powders and dusts.

Effect of Physical Properties of Particulates on Fires and Dust Explosions

Mar 14, 2011
Konanur Manjunath
There has been a dramatic approach in the way we are implementing process safety guidelines and standards for combustible. This is particularly true for North America where there have been devastating dust explosions occurring for the last 10 years or so. Following this, OSHA has initiated NEP,...

Ignition of Dust Layers by Mechanical Sparks

Mar 14, 2011
Kees Van Wingerden
Dust explosions represent a considerable safety risk in process industry. Statistical records of dust explosions show that 32.7 % of these explosions are initiated by mechanical sparks or hot surfaces due to mechanical friction [1]. Laboratory investigations however show that direct ignition of...

Methods for Precluding the Existence of a Dust-Explosion Hazard

Mar 14, 2011
Richard Prugh
The "generic" standard for preventing fires and explosions involving combustible dusts is the National Fire Protection Association publication NFPA 654. In this document, fifteen of the requirements are prefaced with the phrase "if an explosion hazard exists", and an additional four requirements...

Secondary Dust Explosions: How to Prevent Them or Mitigate Their Effects?

Mar 14, 2011
Jérôme R. Taveau
Dust explosions are frequent and particularly devastating in the process industries, and secondary dust explosions are the most severe ones. A secondary dust explosion can occur when the blast wave from a primary explosion entrains dust layers present in the plant, creating a large dust-air...

Imperial Sugar Refinery Combustible Dust Explosion Investigation

Mar 23, 2010
John Vorderbrueggen
On February 7, 2008, at about 7:15 p.m., a series of sugar dust explosions at the Imperial Sugar manufacturing facility in Port Wentworth, Georgia, resulted in 14 worker fatalities. Thirty six workers were treated for serious burns and injuries—some caused permanent, life altering conditions. The...

Combustible Dust: A Practical Approach to Identifying and Mitigating Hazards

Mar 22, 2010
Richard C. Griffin
Combustible dust hazards are prevalent in many facilities throughout industry, including the chemical process industries. Lack of awareness and control of these hazards has led to numerous catastrophic accidents. Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP has developed a practical approach to identifying...

Materials as Inherent Ignition Sources for Dust Explosions During Spray Drying

Mar 22, 2010
Vincent Van den Hoogenband
During spray drying, a solution is dispersed through a nozzle in small droplets to evaporate the water by means of hot air. In a large number of these processes, organic materials are processed so three out of four factors for dust explosions to occur are already present. The only thing missing for...

Practical Issues with Marginally Explosible Dusts - Evaluating the Real Hazard

Mar 22, 2010
Samuel A. Rodgers
A combustible dust can be non-explosible, marginally explosible or severely explosible. With the exception of a few standards with a quantitative perspective (such as NFPA 68), most safety standards and regulations do not differentiate marginally explosible dusts from severely explosible dusts. As...

Property Insurance Company Evaluation of Combustible Dust Hazards

Mar 22, 2010
Henry L. Febo
This paper will discuss some of the key factors that FM Global insurance engineering representatives use in evaluating combustible dust hazards at insured locations. The information is used to develop underwriting information but more importantly, it is the basis for guidance provided for the...

Dust or Gas Explosion: Case Study of Dryer Explosion and Design Venting

Mar 21, 2010
Scott Davis
A recent explosion occurred in a single burner, recirculating solids ring dryer. No one was reported injured as a result of the explosion, however the explosion caused significant damage to the dryer and minor damage to sections of the facility. Despite the dryer having been designed with seven...

Food and Consumer Products Process Hazards

Apr 28, 2009
Catherine Kollhoff, Guy Colonna, John Bresland
The Food and Consumer Products area has significant hazards and risks from dust and flammable liquid explosions as well as from toxic releases. Moreover, the Montreal Protocol for the removal of Ozone Depleting incudes papers on the identification, prevention, control, and management of hazards and...

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