Review of a dust explosion modeling

A single particle model developed for dust explosion is here reviewed. The model describes the behaviour of a reacting particle which undergoes different steps during reaction: heating, devolatilization and homogeneous combustion. The model predicts the maximum values of the deflagration index, also including the role of turbulence. Four explosion regimes have been introduced to take into account the effect on the KSt value of the dust diameter and of the dust shape (different from sphere). These regimes are defined as function of dimensionless numbers (Bi, Da, Th) which contain the chemico-hysical properties of the dust-air mixtures. The effect of fuel gas addition to dust was also included in the model by calculating an equivalent gas mixture composition given by the flammable gas present in the hybrid mixture and the pyrolysis products generated from the dust pyrolysis. Finally, a guideline for the dust explosion simulations is proposed and modeling perspective discussed. © 2013, AIDIC Servizi S.r.l.