Lower explosion limit (Minimum explosive concentration)

One of the properties for dust explosion is the dust concentration of a dust/air mixture. Dust explosion could occur when the concentration is in a certain range. The lower limit of the concentration range is called lower explosion limit, which indicates likelihood of the dust explosion. Since the lower explosion limit depends on particle diameter, the diameter needs to be determined in advance. Target of test is a dust cloud, for this reason the lower explosion limit is usually measured for particles passing through a sieve of a 63 μm mesh. Contact us if you need measurement as it is for some reason.

Limiting oxygen concentration

If the oxygen concentration of a dust/air mixture is decreased to a certain lower limit by addition of nitrogen or other inert gases, dust explosion could be prevented. This lower limit of the oxygen concentration is called limiting oxygen concentration. SCAS can measure the limiting oxygen concentration of a mixture of dust, oxygen, and nitrogen (or other inert gases). Since the limiting oxygen concentration changes depending on the particle diameter of the dust, the diameter needs to be determined in advance. Usually the limiting oxygen concentration is measured for particles passing through a sieve of a 63 μm mesh.

Explosion pressure and Rate of pressure rise

The pressure of enclosed space increases if a dust/air mixture explodes in the confined space. The explosion pressure reaches the maximum value at an optimal dust concentration, which is called maximum explosion pressure of the dust/air mixture. The maximum slope of the explosion pressure vs time curve is called maximum rate of pressure rise. The explosion pressure depends on the kind of the dust, particle diameter, concentration of the dust, vessel shape, and turbulence. Therefore, a test using 20 L or larger explosion test apparatus is necessary to obtain the explosion indices (Kmax). SCAS uses 20 L sphere explosion apparatus for the measurement. Usually these properties are measured for particles passing through a sieve of a 63 μm mesh.

Minimum ignition energy

A dust/air mixture would explode when ignition energy larger than a certain value that depends on the pressure, temperature, and dust concentration. The limiting energy of the ignition is called minimum ignition energy of the dust/air mixture. It is an important index to decide whether the dust can be handled in the air or should be handled in the inert atmosphere. SCAS can measures using tube-type dust explosion test apparatus with capacity spark power supply. Since the minimum ignition energy changes depending on the particle diameter of the dust, the diameter needs to be determined in advance. Usually the minimum ignition energy is measured for particles passing through a sieve of a 63 μm mesh. Contact us if you need a test based on MIKE-3 in conformance with IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) Standard*1.
Note: In 2016, JIS Z 8834 "Method for determining minimum ignition energy of dust/air mixtures" was issued.
*1 IEC 1241-2-3 "Electrical Apparatus for Use in the Presence of Combustible Dust, Part 2: Test Methods, Section 3: Method for Determining Minimum Ignition Energy of Dust/Air Mixtures", 1994