An Introduction to Dust Explosions
Understanding the Myths and Realities of Dust Explosions for a Safer Workplace
- 1st Edition - June 12, 2013
- Author: Paul Amyotte
- Language: English
- Paperback ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 3 9 7 0 0 7 - 7
- eBook ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 3 9 7 2 6 3 - 7
Preventable dust explosions continue to occur in industry in spite of significant research and practice efforts worldwide over many years. There is a need for effective un… Read more
Preventable dust explosions continue to occur in industry in spite of significant research and practice efforts worldwide over many years. There is a need for effective understanding of the unique hazards posed by combustible dust. This book describes a number of dust explosion myths – which together cover the main source of dust explosion hazards – the reasons they exist and the corresponding scientific and engineering facts that mitigate these circumstances.
An Introduction to Dust Explosions describes the main erroneous beliefs about the origin and propagation of dust explosions. It offers fact-based explanations for their occurrence and the impact of such events and provides a critical guide to managing and mitigating dust explosion risks.
- Designed to prevent accidents, injury, loss of life and capital damage
- An easy-to-read, scientifically rigorous treatment of the facts and fictions of dust explosions for those who need to – or ought to – understand dust explosions, their occurrence and consequences
- Enables the management and mitigation of these critical industrial hazards
Process Engineers, Safety Engineers, Chemical Engineers, Mechanical Engineers in the Process Industries, Managers in the Process Industries, Safety Consultants
Dedication
Preface
Author
Chapter 1. Introduction: Dust Explosions—Myth or Reality?
1.1 Explosion Pentagon
1.2 Dust Explosion Myths
1.3 Why this Book?
1.4 What do You Think?
References
Chapter 2. Myth No. 1 (Fuel): Dust Does Not Explode
2.1 Dust Definition
2.2 Determination of Dust Explosibility
2.3 An Explosible Non-Explosible Dust
2.4 Reality
2.5 What do You Think?
References
Chapter 3. Myth No. 2 (Fuel): Dust Explosions Happen Only in Coal Mines and Grain Elevators
3.1 Cyclical Interest in an Ever-Present Problem
3.2 Magnitude of the Problem
3.3 Reality
3.4 What do You Think?
References
Chapter 4. Myth No. 3 (Fuel): A Lot of Dust Is Needed to Have an Explosion
4.1 Guidance from Physics and Chemistry
4.2 Practical Guidance
4.3 Housekeeping
4.4 Reality
4.5 What do You Think?
References
Chapter 5. Myth No. 4 (Fuel): Gas Explosions Are Much Worse Than Dust Explosions
5.1 Hazard and Risk
5.2 Example: Likelihood of Occurrence and Prevention
5.3 Example: Severity of Consequences and Mitigation
5.4 Hybrid Mixtures
5.5 Reality
5.6 What do you Think?
References
Chapter 6. Myth No. 5 (Fuel): It’s Up to the Testing Lab to Specify Which Particle Size to Test
6.1 Role of Particle Size Distribution
6.2 Particle Size Effects on Explosibility Parameters
6.3 A Cooperative Endeavor
6.4 Reality
6.5 What do You Think?
References
Chapter 7. Myth No. 6 (Fuel/Ignition Source): Any Amount of Suppressant Is Better Than None
7.1 Inerting and Suppression
7.2 Minimum Inerting Concentration
7.3 Suppressant Enhanced Explosion Parameter
7.4 Thermal Inhibitors
7.5 Reality
7.6 What do you Think?
References
Chapter 8. Myth No. 7 (Ignition Source): Dusts Ignite Only with a High-Energy Ignition Source
8.1 Industrial Ignition Sources
8.2 Standardized Dust Explosibility Testing
8.3 Dust Cloud Ignition by Low-Energy Sources
8.4 Reality
8.5 What do you Think?
References
Chapter 9. Myth No. 8 (Ignition Source): Only Dust Clouds—Not Dust Layers—Will Ignite
9.1 Dust Layer Ignition
9.2 Dust Layer Fires
9.3 Reality
9.4 What do you Think?
References
Chapter 10. Myth No. 9 (Oxidant): Oxygen Removal Must Be Complete to Be Effective
10.1 Limiting Oxygen Concentration
10.2 Candidate Inert Gases
10.3 Reality
10.4 What do you Think?
References
Chapter 11. Myth No. 10 (Oxidant): Taking Away the Oxygen Makes Things Safe
11.1 Nothing is Safe
11.2 Introduction of New Hazards
11.3 Management of Change
11.4 Reality
11.5 What do you Think?
References
Chapter 12. Myth No. 11 (Mixing): There’s No Problem If Dust Is Not Visible in the Air
12.1 Primary and Secondary Dust Explosions
12.2 Domino Effects
12.3 Reality
12.4 What do you Think?
References
Chapter 13. Myth No. 12 (Mixing): Once Airborne, a Dust Will Quickly Settle out of Suspension
13.1 Dustiness
13.2 Preferential Lifting
13.3 Nano-Materials
13.4 Flocculent Materials
13.5 Reality
13.6 What do you Think?
References
Chapter 14. Myth No. 13 (Mixing): Mixing Is Mixing; There Are No Degrees
14.1 Turbulence
14.2 Influence of Turbulence
14.3 Concentration Gradients
14.4 Reality
14.5 What do you Think?
References
Chapter 15. Myth No. 14 (Confinement): Venting Is the Only/Best Solution to the Dust Explosion Problem
15.1 Inherently Safer Design
15.2 Hierarchy of Controls
15.3 Dust Explosion Prevention and Mitigation Measures
15.4 Reality
15.5 What do you Think?
References
Chapter 16. Myth No. 15 (Confinement): Total Confinement Is Required to Have an Explosion
16.1 Degree of Confinement
16.2 Explosion Relief Venting
16.3 Reality
16.4 What do you Think?
References
Chapter 17. Myth No. 16 (Confinement): Confinement Means Four Walls, a Roof, and a Floor
17.1 Congestion and Obstacle-Generated Turbulence
17.2 Temporary Enclosures
17.3 Reality
17.4 What do you Think?
References
Chapter 18. Myth No. 17 (Pentagon): The Vocabulary of Dust Explosions Is Difficult to Understand
18.1 Dust Explosion Terminology
18.2 Gas Explosion Analogies
18.3 Right to Know
18.4 Reality
18.5 What do you Think?
References
Chapter 19. Myth No. 18 (Pentagon): Dust Explosion Parameters Are Fundamental Material Properties
19.1 A Quiescent Dust Cloud—The (Nearly) Impossible Dream
19.2 The Mystical KSt Parameter
19.3 Standardized Dust Explosibility Testing (Revisited)
19.4 Reality
19.5 What do you Think?
References
Chapter 20. Myth No. 19 (Pentagon): It Makes Sense to Combine Explosion Parameters in a Single Index
20.1 USBM Indices
20.2 Assessment and Management of Dust Explosion Risks
20.3 Material Safety Data Sheets
20.4 Reality
20.5 What do you Think?
References
Chapter 21. Myth No. 20 (Pentagon): It Won’t Happen to Me
21.1 Safety Culture
21.2 Safety Management Systems
21.3 Westray Coal Mine Explosion
21.4 Reality
21.5 What do you Think?
References
Chapter 22. Conclusion: Dust Explosion Realities
22.1 Myths and Corresponding Realities
22.2 What do you Think?
References
Index
- Edition: 1
- Published: June 12, 2013
- Language: English
PA
Paul Amyotte
Paul Amyotte is a Distinguished Research Professor and Professor of Chemical Engineering at Dalhousie University (Halifax, Canada). He is a chemical engineering graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada (Bachelor’s), Queen’s University (Master’s), the Technical University of Nova Scotia (PhD) and a registered professional engineer in Nova Scotia. Dr. Amyotte is a member and past president of Canadian Society of Chemical Engineering, a member of American Institute of Chemical Engineers, a Fellow of Chemical Institute of Canada, the Engineering Institute of Canada, Canadian Academy of Engineering, Engineers Canada, and the Canadian Academy of Engineering. Dr. Amyotte has an extensive record of authorship, with six books, several book chapters, and over 350 papers published in peer-reviewed journals or presented at national and international conferences. He has presented invited plenary lectures at symposia in Canada, France, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Qatar, Taiwan, and the United States. He is the current editor of the Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries, and a past president of the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering, Engineers Nova Scotia, and Engineers Canada. He has also served as chair of the Canadian Engineering Qualifications Board, member of the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board, and co-chair of the Materials and Chemical Engineering Evaluation Group of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Dr. Amyotte has consulted on numerous industrial projects involving hazard analysis, incident investigation, and material explosibility. Dr. Amyotte is a recipient of distinct awards including Cybulski Medal from the Polish Academy of Sciences, the Trevor Kletz Merit Award from the Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center, and the Process Safety Management Award from the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering.
Affiliations and expertise
Dalhousie University
Halifax B3H 4R2
CanadaRead An Introduction to Dust Explosions on ScienceDirect