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Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program

Ignition Source. Dispersion. Confinement. Deflagration. Explosion. FIRE. Combustible Dust. Oxygen in Air. Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program. March 10, 2008. Background. History of Combustible Dust Incidents Overview of Combustible Dust NEP Hazard Mitigation Techniques

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Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program

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  1. Ignition Source Dispersion Confinement Deflagration Explosion FIRE Combustible Dust Oxygen in Air Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program March 10, 2008

  2. Background • History of Combustible Dust Incidents • Overview of Combustible Dust NEP • Hazard Mitigation Techniques • Resources

  3. Catastrophic Combustible Dust Incidents since 1995

  4. Combustible Dust Explosions History Malden Mills Methuen, MA December 11, 1995 37 Injured Nylon Fiber

  5. Firefighting efforts following the explosion at Malden Mills (Methuen, Massachusetts, December 11, 1995).

  6. Combustible Dust Explosions History Jahn foundry Springfield, MA February 26, 1999 3 dead 9 Injured Phenolic resin dust

  7. Combustible Dust Explosions History Ford River Rouge: Secondary Coal Dust Explosion February 1, 1999 Killed six workers and injured 36

  8. Combustible Dust Explosions History May 16, 2002 Rouse Polymerics Vicksburg, Ms 5 dead, 7 injured Rubber Dust

  9. Combustible Dust Explosions History • January 29, 2003 - West Pharmaceutical Services, Kinston, NC • Six deaths, dozens of injuries • Facility produced rubber stoppers and other products for medical use • Plastic powder accumulated above suspended ceiling ignited

  10. West Pharmaceutical facility destroyed by polyethylene dust

  11. Combustible Dust Explosions History • February 20, 2003 – CTA Acoustics, Corbin, KY • Seven Workers died • Facility produced fiberglass insulation for automotive industry • Resin accumulated in production area that got ignited

  12. Combustible Dust Explosions History • October 29, 2003 - Hayes Lemmerz Manufacturing Plant • Two severely burned (one of the victims died) • Accumulated aluminum dust • Facility manufactured cast aluminum automotive wheels

  13. Types of Dust Involved in incidents

  14. Types of Industries Involved in Dust Incidents

  15. Dust Incidents, Injuries, and Fatalities

  16. What Combustible Dustsareexplosible? • Metal dust such as aluminum and magnesium. • Wood dust • Coal and other carbon dusts. • Plastic dust • Biosolids • Organic dust such as sugar, paper, soap, and dried blood. • Certain textile materials

  17. Which Industries have Potential Dust Explosion Hazards? • Agriculture • Chemical • Textile • Forest and furniture products • Metal Processing • Paper products • Pharmaceuticals • Recycling operations (metal, paper, and plastic recycling operations.)

  18. CSB Recommendations To OSHA 1) Issue a standard designed to prevent combustible dust fires and explosions in general industry 2) Revise the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) (1910.1200) to clarify that the HCS covers combustible dusts • Communicate to the United Nations Economic Commission (UNECE) the need to amend the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) to address combustible dust hazards • Provide training through the OSHA Training Institute (OTI) on recognizing and preventing combustible dust explosions. • While a standard is being developed, implement a National Special Emphasis Program (SEP) on combustible dust hazards in general industry

  19. Definitions and Terminology • Combustible Dust • Combustible Particulate Solid • Hybrid Mixture • Fugitive Grain Dust • Class II Locations • Deflagration • Detonation • Explosion • Minimum Explosible Concentration (MEC) • Lower Flammable Limit (LFL) • Upper Flammable Limit (UFL) • Minimum Ignition Temperature (MIT) • Minimum Ignition Energy (MIE)

  20. Definitions and Terminology NFPA 654 (2006) Definitions Combustible dust. A combustible particulate solid that presents a fire or deflagration hazard when suspended in air or some other oxidizing medium over a range of concentrations, regardless of particle size or shape.Combustible Particulate Solid. Any combustible solid material composed of distinct particles or pieces, regardless of size, shape, or chemical composition.Hybrid Mixture. A mixture of a flammable gas with either a combustible dust or a combustible mist. What is Combustible Dust?

  21. Definitions and Terminology What is Combustible Dust? NFPA 69 (2002), and 499 (2004) Definitions • Combustible Dust.Any finely divided solid material 420 microns or less in diameter (i.e., material passing through a U.S. No 40 Standard Sieve) that presents a fire or explosion hazard when dispersed 1 micron (µ) = 1.0 x 10-6m  = 1.0 x 10-4 cm = 1.0 x 10-3 mm  420 µ = 420 x 10-4 cm = .042 cm = 0.4mm A typical paper thickness is approximately 0.1mm

  22. Particle Size of Common Materials

  23. Definitions and Terminology Class II Locations Class II locations are those that are hazardous because of the presence of combustible dust. The following are Class II locations where the combustible dust atmospheres are present: Group E. Atmospheres containing combustible metal dusts, including aluminum, magnesium, and their commercial alloys, and other combustible dusts whose particle size, abrasiveness, and conductivity present similar hazards in the use of electrical equipment. Group F. Atmospheres containing combustible carbonaceous dusts that have more than 8 percent total entrapped volatiles (see ASTM D 3175, Standard Test Method for Volatile Matter in the Analysis Sample of Coal and Coke, for coal and coke dusts) or that have been sensitized by other materials so that they present an explosion hazard. Coal, carbon black, charcoal, and coke dusts are examples of carbonaceous dusts. Group G. Atmospheres containing other combustible dusts, including flour, grain, wood flour, plastic and chemicals.

  24. Deflagration Vs. Explosion Definitions and Terminology Deflagration. Propagation of a combustion zone at a speed that is less than the speed of sound in the unreacted medium. Detonation. Propagation of a combustion zone at a velocity that is greater than the speed of sound in the unreacted medium. Explosion.The bursting or rupture of an enclosure or a container due to the development of internal pressure from deflagration. Deflagration Explosion Detonation

  25. The minimum concentration of combustible dust suspended in air, measured in mass per unit volume that will support a deflagration. Lower Flammable Limit (LFL) The lower flammable limit is the lowest concentration of a combustible substance in an oxidizing medium Upper Flammable Limit (UFL) The upper flammable limits is the highest concentration of a combustible substance in an oxidizing medium that will propagate a flame. How are MEC and LFLDifferent? Definitions and Terminology Minimum Explosible Concentration (MEC)

  26. Explosible Range Source: Dust Explosions in the Process Industries, Second Edition, Rolf K Eckhoff

  27. Definitions and Terminology • Minimum Ignition Temperature (MIT). The lowest temperature at which ignition occurs. • Lower the particle size – Lower the MIT • Lower the moisture content - Lower the MIT • Minimum Ignition Energy (MIE). The lowest electrostatic spark energy that is capable of igniting a dust cloud. • Energy Units (millijoules) • Decrease in particle size and moisture content – decreases MIE • An increase in temperature in dust cloud atmosphere - decreases MIE • Deflagration Index, Kst – Maximum dp/dt normalized to 1.0 m3 volume. • Pmax – The maximum pressure reached during the course of a deflagration.

  28. Deflagration Index - Kst Kst = (dP/dt)max V1/3 (bar m/s) where: (dP/dt) max = the maximum rate of pressure rise (bar/s) V = the volume of the testing chamber (m3)

  29. Initial Internal Deflagration Process Equipment 0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 300 325 Time, msec. The “Typical” Explosion Event

  30. Initial Internal Deflagration Shock Wave Process Equipment 0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 300 325 The “Typical” Explosion Event Time, msec.

  31. Initial Internal Deflagration Elastic Rebound Shock Waves Process Equipment 0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 300 325 Time, msec. The “Typical” Explosion Event

  32. Initial Internal Deflagration Dust clouds caused by Elastic Rebound Process Equipment 0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 300 325 Time, msec. The “Typical” Explosion Event

  33. Containment Failure from Initial Deflagration Dust Clouds Caused by Elastic Rebound Process Equipment 0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 300 325 Time, msec. The “Typical” Explosion Event

  34. Dust Clouds Caused by Elastic Rebound Process Equipment Secondary Deflagration Initiated 0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 300 325 Time, msec. The “Typical” Explosion Event

  35. Secondary Deflagration Propagates through Interior Process Equipment 0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 300 325 Time, msec. The “Typical” Explosion Event

  36. Secondary Deflagration Vents from Structure 0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 300 325 Time, msec. The “Typical” Explosion Event Process Equipment

  37. Secondary Deflagration Causes Collapse and Residual Fires 0 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 300 325 Time, msec. The “Typical” Explosion Event Diagrams Courtesy of John M. Cholin, P.E., FSFPE, J.M. Cholin Consultants, Inc.

  38. Dust Handling Equipment

  39. Typesof Equipment Used in Dust Handling • Bag Openers (Slitters) • Blenders/Mixers • Dryers • Dust Collectors • Pneumatic Conveyors • Size Reduction Equipment (Grinders) • Silos and Hoppers • Hoses, Loading Spouts, Flexible Boots

  40. Equipment Involved in Dust Explosions Source: Guidelines for Safe Handling of Powders and Bulk Solids, CCPS, AICHE

  41. Heat Generation due to Rubbing of Solids Rubbing of internal parts Electrostatic Charging of the Solids Dust Formation inside of the equipment Blenders/Mixers Source: http://www.fedequip.com/abstract.asp?ItemNumber=17478&txtSearchType=0&txtPageNo=1&txtSearchCriteria=ribbon_mixer

  42. Direct-Heat Dryers Convective Drying System Heat provided by heated air or gas Moisture is carried by drying medium Indirect–Heat Dryers Heat transfer by Conduction Steam for Jacketed Dryers Dryers Source:www.barr-rosin.com/products/rotary-dryer.asp

  43. Dust Collectors • Cyclone Separators • Electrostatic Precipitators • Fabric Filters • Wet Scrubbers

  44. Dust Collectors • Presence of easily ignitable fine dust atmosphere and high turbulence • Experienced many fires over the years due to broken bags. • Ignition source is electrostatic spark discharges • Another ignition source is entrance of hot, glowing particles into the baghouse from upstream equipment Fabric Filters (Baghouses)

  45. Pneumatic conveying system • Downstream equipment have high rate of risk for fires and explosion • Static electricity is generated from particle to particle contact or from particle to duct wall contact. • Heated particles which are created during grinding or drying may be carried into the pneumatic conveying system and fanned to a glow by high gas velocity. • Tramp metal in the pneumatic system may also cause frictional heating. • Charged powder may leak from joints to the atmosphere and electrostatic sparking can occur resulting in an explosion. Figure source:www.flexicon.com/us/products/PneumaticConveyingSystems/index.asp?gclid=COa2kKWK4o8CFQGzGgodikc9Dg

  46. Pneumatic conveying systems (Cont.) • Prevention and Protection systems • Venting • Suppression • Pressure Containment • Deflagration Isolation • Spark detection and extinguishing system • Use of inert conveying gas

  47. Size Reduction System • Size reduction equipment is regarded as a possible ignition source because of friction and hot surfaces arising from grinding • Entrance of metal into the equipment • Too slow feed rate can increase the possibility of fire/explosion hazard

  48. Silos and Hoppers • No inter-silo Venting • Silos and hoppers shall be located outside the buildings with some exceptions • Air cannons not to be used to break bridges in silos • Detection of smoldering fires in silos and hoppers can be achieved with methane and carbon monoxide detectors • Pressure containment, inerting, and suppression systems to protect against explosions • Venting is the most widely used protection against explosions

  49. Hazard Mitigation

  50. Hazard Mitigation • Dust control • Ignition source control • Damage control

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