Effect of stearic acid coating on the explosion characteristics of aluminum dust

Abstract

To explore the effect of stearic acid coating on the explosion characteristics of aluminum dust, the flame propagation characteristics, minimum explosion concentration and explosion overpressure characteristics of aluminum (Al) and stearic acid coated aluminum dust (SA-Al) were studied by using the synchronous thermal analyzer, the improved Hartmann tube explosion test device, and 20 L explosion test device. Then micro morphology and composition of the explosion products were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and a physical model of stearic acid coated aluminum dust explosion was established. The results showed that the combustion intensity and flame propagation velocity of SA-Al dust cloud in the semi-closed pipe were lower than that of Al dust cloud, and the flame propagation was weak in the initial stage of explosion. The minimum explosion concentration (MEC), the optimal explosion concentration, the maximum explosion pressure (Pmax) and the maximum explosion pressure rise rate ((dP/dt)max) of SA-Al dust cloud were greater than that of Al dust cloud, and its products contained the incomplete combustion products AlO2, indicating that the stearic acid coating could abate the explosion sensitivity of Al dust cloud, and weaken the degree of oxidation of Al dust. In case of explosion, stearic acid coating could significantly enhance the explosion hazard of Al dust, resulting in a higher explosion risk.