ABSTRACT
Vented explosion tests were made at a dust concentration of 0.75 oz/cu ft, using primacord for dispersion. The vents were unrestricted. Dust explosions occur in a turbulent atmosphere, but gas explosions may occur under turbulent or nonturbulent conditions. Some of the difficulties in studying vented dust explosions in different volume vessels result from the inability to achieve: uniform dust dispersions, the same degree of turbulence in the different vessels, and equivalent igniting sources. The time for development of maximum pressure was shortest when the gas mixture was ignited near the closed end of the vessel. Further increase in dust concentration above the optimum produces a reduction in explosion pressure. The effect of particle size on venting requirements was also studied in the 216 and 1-cu ft vessels. Vented explosion tests were made with the following dusts: aluminum flakes, atomized aluminum, calcium lignin sulfonate, cellulose acetate and chromium.
