In a processing or manufacturing facility that handles wood or agricultural materials, there can be solid particulates and dusts with varying particle size distributions that exist throughout the process, some of which may be combustible dusts that are explosible in dust cloud form.
But what exactly is a combustible dust, and how can you determine if combustible dust hazards exist in your facility?
Conditions for explosions
First, it’s critical to understand the conditions that can cause combustible dust explosions.
Many wood and agricultural materials are not easily burned in their raw form but may be explosible in dry particulate or dust form. This is because of the reduced moisture content and increased surface area available for reaction and diffusion mechanisms during the combustion process. These materials are known as combustible dusts and can cause dust explosions in processing facilities if: