Shock waves in the expansion of a burning dust cloud

Abstract

The destructive power of a dust-cloud explosion is related to the maximum pressure Pmax and the maximum rate of increase in pressure (dp/dt)max. However, those parameters do not define the process completely. Often, the strength of the walls within which the suspension burns is much less than the characteristic Pmax, and consequently, after the walls have failed, the partially burned mixture escapes together with the burning explosion products~ and fragments are formed. A considerable hazard is represented by the shock waves that may result from the nonstationary flow. The mechanical effects are divided into the primary failure due to the internal explosion and the secondary damage to external objects due to the shock waves, fragments, and burning products.