Minimum ignition energy of nano and micro Ti powder in the presence of inert nano TiO2 powder.

The inerting effect of nano-sized TiO2 powder on ignition sensitivity of nano and micro Ti powders was investigated with a Mike 3 apparatus. "A little is not good enough" is also suitable for micro Ti powders mixed with nano-sized solid inertants. MIE of the mixtures did not significantly increase until the TiO2 percentage exceeded 50%. Nano-sized TiO2 powders were ineffective as an inertant when mixed with nano Ti powders, especially at higher dust loadings. Even with 90% nano TiO2 powder, mixtures still showed high ignition sensitivity because the statistic energy was as low as 2.1 mJ. Layer fires induced by ignited but unburned metal particles may occur for micro Ti powders mixed with nano TiO2 powders following a low level dust explosion. Such layer fires could lead to a violent dust explosion after a second dispersion. Thus, additional attention is needed to prevent metallic layer fires even where electric spark potential is low. In the case of nano Ti powder, no layer fires were observed because of less flammable material involved in the mixtures investigated, and faster flame propagation in nanoparticle clouds.

Thermal analysis of magnesium reactions with nitrogen/oxygen gas mixtures.

The thermal behavior and kinetic parameters of magnesium powder subjected to a nitrogen-rich atmosphere was investigated in thermogravimetric (TG) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) experiments with oxygen/nitrogen mixtures heated at rates of 5, 10, 15, and 20 °C/min. At higher temperature increase rates, the observed oxidation or nitridation steps shifted toward higher temperatures. The comparison of mass gain and heat of reaction in different nitrogen concentrations is helpful in interpreting the inerting effect of nitrogen on magnesium powder explosion in closed vessels. Activation energies for oxidation in air calculated by the Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) method are generally consistent with previously published reports, but the method was not successful for the entire nitridation process. The change of activation energy with temperature was related to protective properties of the corresponding coating layer at particle surfaces. Two main coating layer growth processes were found in magnesium oxidation and nitridation using a modified Dreizin method which was also employed to determine activation energy for both magnesium oxidation and nitridation. For magnesium powder oxidation, activation energy calculated by the Dreizin method was close to that by KAS. Variation in activation energies was a function of different mechanisms inherent in the two methods.

Ignition behavior of magnesium powder layers on a plate heated at constant temperature.

The minimum temperature at which dust layers or deposits ignite is considered to be very important in industries where smoldering fires could occur. Experiments were conducted on the self-ignition behavior of magnesium powder layers. The estimated effective thermal conductivity k for modeling is 0.17 W m(-1)K(-1). The minimum ignition temperature (MIT) of magnesium powder layers for four different particle sizes: 6, 47, 104 and 173 µm, are also determined in these experiments. A model was developed describing temperature distribution and its change over time while considering the melting and boiling of magnesium powder. Parameter analysis shown that increasing particle size from 6 to 173 µm increased MIT from 710 to 760 K, and increased thickness of the dust layer led to a decreased MIT. The calculation termination time more than 5000 s didn't significantly impact MIT. Comparing predicted and experimental data showed satisfactory agreement for MIT of magnesium powder layers at various particle sizes. According to the ignition process of magnesium powder layer, a meaningful definition for the most sensitive ignition position (MSIP) was proposed and should be taken into consideration when preventing smoldering fires induced by hot plates.

Ignition temperature of magnesium powder clouds: a theoretical model.

Minimum ignition temperature of dust clouds (MIT-DC) is an important consideration when adopting explosion prevention measures. This paper presents a model for determining minimum ignition temperature for a magnesium powder cloud under conditions simulating a Godbert-Greenwald (GG) furnace. The model is based on heterogeneous oxidation of metal particles and Newton's law of motion, while correlating particle size, dust concentration, and dust dispersion pressure with MIT-DC. The model predicted values in close agreement with experimental data and is especially useful in predicting temperature and velocity change as particles pass through the furnace tube.