A new 365-litre dust explosion chamber: Design and testing

Abstract The explosions of combustible dusts pose a hazard in many industries. Several serious accidents have resulted in material damage, impaired environment, and the losses of human lives. Specific equipment has been developed to determine the explosive properties of dispersed dusts; their requirements are specified in EN 14034 and ASTM 1226 standards. These standards specify the use of the equipment in the volume of 1 m3 and 20 L. This paper deals with redesigning and testing a detonation chamber for the study of dispersed dust. It presents technical solutions to redesigning the detonation chamber of KV 150 M2 type to a new 365-l dust explosion chamber. The article describes the technical solution to the dispersing, control and timing system. Finally, comparative measurements in the redesigned detonation chamber with the commercially available 20 L sphere are described. The samples of lycopodium, hard coal, beech wood, magnesium and urotropin powders were used to compare the results.