Research on risk assessment method of dust explosion in electrostatic powder coating firms

Abstract

Due to the low ignition energy and high explosion pressure of the electrostatic powder coating used, the powder spraying industry is very susceptible to dust explosion. Based on the fundamental concepts of risk assessment and the actual procedure, this study develops a dust explosion risk assessment indicator system for electrostatic powder coating firms to address the shortcomings of existing dust explosion risk assessment methods in handling weight objectivity and information uncertainty. The index system includes three first-level indicators of dust explosion severity, possibility, and safety management, as well as 8 s-level indicators and 26 third-level indicators. The indicator weights are acquired using the Structural Entropy Weighting Method (SEWM), which increases the objectivity of the computing results. D numbers theory is used to handle uncertainty in expert evaluation data in the best possible way. Eventually, a thorough approach for evaluating the dangers of dust explosion in electrostatic powder coating operations is developed. It shows that the procedure is likely to produce assessment results that reflect reality. Therefore, the company's daily safety inspections are underpinned by on-site investigations and risk assessments of powder coating companies. The results are of great significance in improving the dust explosion prevention capability of firms.