Heterogeneous Combustion of Dust Particles

Dust cloud explosion can be a threat for mankind and people¿s properties for the last 150 years.The occurrence of three fatal combustible dust explosions within one year in 2003 prompted the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) to commence a broader study on the extent, nature and prevention of combustible dust fire and explosion hazards.Wherever dust is produced,explosion can happen if there are enough amounts of oxidizer, dust concentration and an ignition source with sufficient energy to ignite the dust cloud.Accordingly, modeling and investigating of dust cloud ignition and combustion assist us to manage and avoid explosions.Nowadays with improvement of powder technology and increase of powder usage in industries and laboratories, the need for preventive methods have become more important.Many combustible dusts allow flame propagation through fuel particles if dispersed as a cloud in air and ignited, in a similar manner to the propagation of flames in premixed fuel oxidant gases.Thus, a precise knowledge of dust cloud combustion is essential.