Recent advances in the relief venting of dust explosions

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials Vol. 1; no. 2; pp. 97 - 111
• Main Author: Palmer, K.N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 1975
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/0304-3894(75)85001-1

Relief venting is the principal direct means used for protection of industrial plant and buildings against dust explosions. Information on the design of adequate vents has accumulated over a long period, and this early work has been summarized. More recently, a considerable amount of further data has become available and is reviewed, together with a description of the methods used to obtain it. The majority of data relate to explosions in compact enclosures, i.e. the three dimensions of comparable size, but some data are also reported for ducting and for specific plant units. The effect of vent covers on explosion pressures is also given some attention. The importance of obtaining an adequate theoretical background to the empirical data is stressed, the present situation discussed, and future requirements commented upon.