Models to estimate the minimum ignition temperature of dusts and hybrid mixtures

Abstract

The minimum ignition temperatures (MIT) of hybrid mixtures have been investigated by performing several series of tests in a modified Godbert–Greenwald furnace. Five dusts as well as three perfect gases and three real were used in different combinations as test samples. Further, seven mathematical models for prediction of the MIT of dust/air mixtures were presented of which three were chosen for deeper study and comparison with the experimental results based on the availability of the input quantities needed and their applicability. Additionally, two alternative models were proposed to calculate the MIT of hybrid mixtures and were validated against the experimental results. A significant decrease of the minimum ignition temperature of either the gas or the vapor as well as an increase in the explosion likelihood could be observed when a small amount of dust which was either below its minimum explosible concentration or not ignitable itself at that particular temperature was mixed with the gas. The various models developed by Cassel, Krishma and Mitsui to predict the MIT of dust were in good agreement with the experimental results as well as the two models proposed to predict the MIT of hybrid mixtures were also in agreement with the experimental value.