A new prediction method for dust explosion venting at high static activation pressures. (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Mingrui; Jiang, Haipeng; Chen, Xiangfeng; Liu, Gang; Gao, Wei
• Is Part Of: Journal of loss prevention in the process industries. Volume 71(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: Dust explosion venting -- Pressure prediction -- Energy loss; Chemical industries -- Safety measures -- Periodicals; 660.2804
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jlp.2021.104500
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-4230

Abstract

Abstract: Venting is an effective way to prevent harmful dust explosions, but the existing prediction methods are imprecise and are suitable only for applications with low activation pressures. A new method is proposed for predicting pressures based on an analysis of energy losses at high activation pressures and verified by aluminum dust explosion experiments. Compared with the experimental results, the results of the new model are relatively stable under working conditions with different activation pressures and venting areas. Based on the analysis of energy losses, the changes in the energy loss rate, temperature, and venting velocity during venting are found to be asynchronous. The thermal energy loss, which accounts for over 80 percent of the total, is expected to be larger than the kinetic energy loss. The thermal energy loss rate changes rapidly during venting, while the kinetic energy loss rate remains relatively stable. The new model is more accurate than the NFPA68 standard, which fails to consider the thermal energy loss. Neglecting the thermal energy loss may result in an underestimation of the pressure reduction; this error increases with decreasing activation pressure. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: A new pressure prediction method is provided for dust explosion venting. Different ways of energy loss during the venting are analyzed. The main reason for the error of NFPA68 in venting prediction is the neglect of thermal energy loss.