Study into parameters of the dust explosion ignited by an improvised explosion device filled with organic peroxide

Abstract

Dust explosion poses a significant hazard in industry. An explosion of dispersed dust can be ignited by an improvised explosive device. The article deals with the study of explosion parameters of representative samples of dispersed dust ignited by an improvised explosive device. Hexamethylene triperoxide diamine was used as an igniter. Lycopodium clavatum spores were used as a standard sample. Furthermore, dust samples were selected from those types of operations that may be endangered if an improvised explosive device is used as an igniter. Wheat flour and beech wood dust were selected as representative samples. The achieved parameters of explosion pressure and explosion constant Kst were on average by 5–15% lower than the parameters achieved when using a commercial igniter. The Pmax value and the inflection point of the explosion record were reached 7–12 ms earlier than those achieved with a commercially available igniter. The findings may be relevant in the design of explosion prevention devices. New types of explosion prevention devices can be designed to reduce the risk of explosion of dispersed combustible dust caused by improvised explosive devices, e.g. in a case of terrorist attack on the objects with the occurrence of dust clouds.