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Explosibility of nano-sized metal powders.

Dastidar AG; Boilard S; Amyotte PR; Turkevich L

2013 AIChE Spring Meeting and 9th Global Congress on Process Safety, AIChE Annual Meeting, Conference Proceedings, April 28, 2013, San Antonio, Texas. New York: American Institute of Chemical Engineers, 2013 Apr; :1-17

http://www3.aiche.org/Proceedings/Abstract.aspx?ConfID=Spring-GCPS-2013&GroupID=1769&SessionID=22546&PaperID=294215

20043096

The explosibility of micron- and nano-titanium was determined and compared according to explosion severity and likelihood using standard dust explosion equipment. ASTM methods were followed using commercially available testing equipment. The explosibility parameters investigated for the size ranges of titanium tested include explosion severity (maximum explosion pressure (P max) and size-normalized maximum rate of pressure rise (K St)) and explosion likelihood (minimum explosible concentration (MEC), minimum ignition energy (MIE) and minimum ignition temperature (MIT)). The results indicate a significant increase in explosion severity as the particle size decreases from <150µm with an apparent plateau being reached at <45µm and &le20 µm. Micron-size explosion severity could not be compared with that for nano-titanium due to pre-ignition of the nano-powder in the 20-L chamber. Explosibility screening tests were also performed on other nano-sized metal powders and similar results were observed for some materials. The likelihood of an explosion increases significantly as the particle size decreases into the nano range. Nano-titanium is very sensitive and can self-ignite under the appropriate conditions. A similar phenomenon was observed for some of the other nano-metals. Safety precautions and procedures for the nano-metal handling are also discussed.

Nanotechnology; Dusts; Dust-explosions; Explosive-dusts; Explosions; Ignition-point; Metal-compounds; Metal-dusts; Metallic-dusts; Metals; Particulate-dust; Particulates

Ashok G. Dastidar, Fauske and Associates LLC, 16W070 83rd Street, Burr Ridge, IL, 60527

7440-32-6

20130428

Conference/Symposia Proceedings

Dastidar@fauske.com

2013

9780816910755

M082013

DART

Manufacturing

2013 AIChE Spring Meeting and 9th Global Congress on Process Safety, AIChE Annual Meeting, Conference Proceedings, April 28, 2013, San Antonio, Texas

IL; OH