ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses many of the parameters affecting ignition. These parameters include dust concentration, oxygen concentration, moisture content, volatile content, admixed inerts, particle size and shape, impurities, aging, porosity, density, and volume of the material. Ignition of dusts may be caused by frictional spark, static spark, electric spark, flame, heated surface, or by spontaneous heating. These igniting sources are characterized by energy, power, and temperature. Although the minimum energy required to ignite a combustible dust is quite small, the energy of igniting sources commonly used in many studies is considerably larger. The mechanism for ignition of dusts either dispersed or in a layer, does not materially differ from the ignition of solids. The ignition of dust dispersions by static spark is affected by a variety of factors. Such factors as concentration and particle size have a marked effect on the ignition of dust. Highest concentration of admixed inert required to suppress ignition by spark of cornstarch dispersions.
