Aluminium dusts explosions: Does size matter?

An experimental investigation was carried out on the influence of particle size distribution on aluminium dust explosion. Among other results, the strong influence of the particle size was pointed out, and especially the predominance of the specific surface area on the mass median particle diameter. It has also been shown that the ignition phenomenon strongly depends on the particle size and especially on the diameter of the finer particles d10. The combined effects of particles sizes and water activity have been studied.Aluminium nanoparticles explosivity has also been tested. Comparisons between the micron-sized and nano-sized powders have been carried out and clearly demonstrate the agglomeration of the nanoparticles. Then, a model based on mass and heat balances, assuming a first order oxidation kinetics, leads to a satisfactory representation of the pressure evolution during the dust explosion.

[1]  Toshisuke Hirano,et al.  Structure of flames propagating through aluminum particles cloud and combustion process of particles , 2006 .

[2]  M. Zachariah,et al.  Understanding the mechanism of aluminium nanoparticle oxidation , 2006 .

[3]  M. Pantoya,et al.  Dependence of size and size distribution on reactivity of aluminum nanoparticles in reactions with oxygen and MoO3 , 2006 .

[4]  O. Dufaud,et al.  Influence of the size distribution and concentration on wood dust explosion: Experiments and reaction modelling , 2005 .

[5]  Luca Marmo,et al.  Aluminium dust explosion risk analysis in metal workings , 2004 .

[6]  Geun-Hie Rim,et al.  The mechanism of combustion of superfine aluminum powders , 2003 .

[7]  M. Pegg,et al.  An investigation of iron sulphide dust minimum ignition temperatures. , 2003, Journal of hazardous materials.

[8]  A. Turcotte,et al.  Characterization of Aluminum Nanopowder Compositions , 2002 .

[9]  M. Nifuku,et al.  Some aspects in testing and assessment of metal dust explosions , 2001 .

[10]  Kenneth L. Cashdollar,et al.  Overview of dust explosibility characteristics , 2000 .

[11]  David C. May,et al.  Fires and explosions associated with aluminum dust from finishing operations , 1987 .

[12]  H. Mellottee.  Combustion des métaux, prévention et lutte , 1978, Étude et propriétés des métaux.

[13]  Zhihua Chen,et al.  Flame propagation through aluminum particle cloud in a combustion tube , 2005 .

[14]  K. J. Mintz,et al.  Inerting of fine metallic powders , 1996 .

[15]  John Nagy,et al.  Development and control of dust explosions , 1983 .

[16]  John Nagy,et al.  Explosibility of Metal Powders , 1964 .