Comparative Analysis of Fire and Explosion Properties of Lycopodium Powder

Bożena Kukfisz (), Adriana Dowbysz, Mariola Samsonowicz, Dorota Markowska and Andrzej Maranda
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Bożena Kukfisz: Institute of Safety Engineering, Fire University, Slowackiego Street 52/54, 01-629 Warsaw, Poland
Adriana Dowbysz: Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, Bialystok University of Technology, Wiejska 45A Street, 15-351 Bialystok, Poland
Mariola Samsonowicz: Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, Bialystok University of Technology, Wiejska 45A Street, 15-351 Bialystok, Poland
Dorota Markowska: Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, 213 Wólczańska Street, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
Andrzej Maranda: Lukasiewicz Research Network, Institute of Industrial Organic Chemistry, 03-236 Warsaw, Poland

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 17, 1-13

Abstract: Lycopodium (L.) clavatum powder, due to its uniform particle size distribution and low equilibrium moisture content, is often used as a reference material and a calibration benchmark for dust combustion and dust explosion studies. The aim of the study was to determine its fire and explosion parameters, compare them to values obtained in the previous literature findings, and assess the appropriateness of using lycopodium powder as a reference material. The research included the determination of minimum ignition temperatures of dust layer and dust clouds, spontaneous ignition behavior, and explosion characteristics of dust clouds including maximum explosion pressure, maximum rate of explosion pressure rise, and the lower explosion limit of the air/dust mixture. The results reveal that the maximum equipment temperature used with lycopodium dust should not exceed 215 °C for dust thickness up to 5 mm. In order to eliminate the risk of lycopodium dust ignition, the temperature of the equipment surfaces that can come into contact with the dust cloud should not exceed 300 °C. In order to prevent explosions, the concentration of lycopodium dust in air should not be greater than 15 g/m 3 . Based on the obtained results, it can be seen that lycopodium fire and explosion parameters vary slightly, and its usage as a benchmark is considered legitimate.

Keywords: lycopodium powder; explosion characteristics; dust flammability parameters; spontaneous ignition behaviour (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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