Metal-based nanoenergetic materials: Synthesis, properties, and applications

Colloidal Suspension Rheology: Preface

The effect of particle size polydispersity on the explosibility characteristics of aluminum dust

Explosion characteristics of micron- and nano-size magnesium powders were determined using CSIR-CBRI 20-L Sphere, Hartmann apparatus and Godbert-Greenwald furnace to study influence of particle size reduction to nano-range on these. The explosion parameters investigated are: maximum explosion pressure (Pmax), maximum rate of pressure-rise (dP/dt)max, dust explosibility index (KSt), minimum explosible concentration (MEC), minimum ignition energy (MIE), minimum ignition temperature (MIT), limiting oxygen concentration (LOC) and effect of reduced oxygen level on explosion severity. Magnesium particle sizes are: 125, 74, 38, 22, 10 and 1 μm; and 400, 200, 150, 100, 50 and 30 nm. Experimental results indicate significant increase in explosion severity (Pmax: 7–14 bar, KSt: 98–510 bar·m/s) as particle size decreases from 125 to 1 μm, it is maximum for 400 nm (Pmax: 14.6 bar, KSt: 528 bar·m/s) and decreases with further decrease of particle size to nano-range 200–30 nm (Pmax: 12.4–9.4 bar, KSt: 460–262 bar·m/s) as it is affected by agglomeration of nano-particles. MEC decreases from 160 to 30 g/m3 on decreasing particle size from 125 to 1 μm, its value is 30 g/m3 for 400 and 200 nm and 20 g/m3 for further decrease in nano-range (150–30 nm). MIE reduces from 120 to 2 mJ on decreasing the particle size from 125 to 1 μm, its value is 1 mJ for 400, 200, 150 nm size and <1 mJ for 50 and 30 nm. Minimum ignition temperature is 600 °C for 125 μm magnesium, it varies between 570 and 450 °C for sizes 38–1 μm and 400–350 °C for size range 400–30 nm. Magnesium powders in nano-range (30–200 nm) explode less violently than micron-range powder. However, likelihood of explosion increases significantly for nano-range magnesium. LOC is 5% for magnesium size range 125–38 μm, 4% for 22–1 μm, 3% for 400 nm, 4% for 200, 150 and 100 nm, and 5% for 50 and 30 nm. Reduction in oxygen levels to 9% results in decrease in Pmax and KSt by a factor of 2–3 and 4–5, respectively, for micron as well as nano-sizes. The experimental data presented will be useful for industries producing or handling similar size range micron- and nano-magnesium in order to evaluate explosibility of their magnesium powders and propose/design adequate safety measures.

Explosion characteristics of micron- and nano-size magnesium powders

Some myths and realities about dust explosions

This work deals with the study of ignition and explosion characteristics of nanoparticles. It has been carried out on various powders: zinc, aluminum, carbon blacks... Specific behaviours have been highlighted during the first phase of this project (Nanosafe 2). For instance, it has been demonstrated that there mainly exists two combustion regimes that are either kinetically controlled, for small size particles, or diffusion controlled, for large size particles (generally with diameters greater than 1 or 2 µm). It has been found that as the particle size decreases, minimum ignition temperature and minimum ignition energy decrease (even lower than 1 mJ), indicating higher potential inflammation and explosion risks for metallic nanopowders. Moreover, the presence of agglomerates in the nanopowders could modify their reactivity. Thus, the explosion severity of Al powders tends to increase as the specific surface area decreases, before reaching a peak for 1 µm particle size. These results are essential for industries producing or handling nanopowders in order to propose/design new and proper prevention and protection means. Nevertheless, the validity of the classical characterization tools with regard to nanopowders should be discussed. For example, the experimental laminar flame velocity of Al dusts has been compared to a theoretical one, determined by Huang's model, which assumes that the propagation of the flame is run mainly by conduction. It has shown a good agreement. However, under certain conditions, the Al flame propagation is expected to be mainly conducted by radiation. Two hypotheses can then be made. On the one hand, it can be assumed that the 20 L sphere probably disturbs the flame propagation and thermal mechanisms by absorbing radiation (wall quenching effect). On the other hand, it has been observed, thanks to the use of a high speed camera that the preheating zone is smaller for some nanopowders than for micro-particles (figure below). It could notably be explained by the fact that the flame radiation is absorbed by the cloud of unburnt Al nanopowders. Several other factors may have an impact on the explosion severity. If these points are correctly addressed, it will be possible to get more reliable ignition and explosion characteristics.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1742-6596/304/1/012076/pdf

Ignition and explosion of nanopowders: something new under the dust

This paper suggests an original method to evaluate the possible emission of particles from a nanopowder submitted to a shear stress in dense phase and the resulting degree of agglomeration of the particles released. The method is based upon the monitoring of the rheological signature of the nanopowders, thanks to a powder rheometer. As a function of the increasing shear rate, the powder flow will evolve from the newtonian state (dense powder) to the coulombian state (dense rheofluidified phase). If the shear rate is high enough, the powder will be set in suspension and the kinetic state (a leaner dense phase submitted to particles collisions) will be reached. The shear stress in this state is dependent on the particle or the agglomerate diameter for cohesive powders, which can be then calculated from rheograms. Carbon black and silica nanopowders have been tested and compared to other experiments carried out on non cohesive glass beads microparticles, chosen as reference. For the different glass beads powders, the average value of their “agglomerate” diameter is 12% different of the primary diameter, indicating agglomeration of less than two particles. Nanometric agglomerates were found to be of hundred micrometers diameter. That is in line with the high tendency of the nanoparticles to agglomerate. This work can be used to evaluate the current safety tests, such as Hartmann’s tube or 20 L sphere apparatuses, to verify whether the standard equipment for microparticles is suitable for the use of nanoparticles. This is linked to research projects like NanoSafe 2.

https://hal-ineris.archives-ouvertes.fr/ineris-00976237/document

The effect of agglomeration on the emission of particles from nanopowders flow

A new four-bladed vane powder rheometer is proposed to study powder and nanopowder rheology at low and high shear rates. As shear rates increase, the powder flow will evolve from a Newtonian regime (low shear rates) to a Coulombic regime (moderate shear rates) and then to a kinetic regime (high shear rates) at which the powder may become self-fluidized because of intense particles collisions. Viscosity measurements of noncohesive glass beads at low shear rates (Newtonian and Coulombic regimes) do not strongly depend upon the particle size and can reach values much larger than commonly used viscosities in some CFDs models. Since, in the kinetic regime, the shear stress is a strong function of the particle size, agglomerate particle size of cohesive powders can be directly inferred from rheograms. Cohesive carbon black and silica nanopowders have been tested and compared to noncohesive glass beads microparticles, chosen as reference. For noncohesive glass bead micropowders, the “agglomerate” diameter average values found from rheological measurements are of the same order of magnitude as the primary diameters of the powder. This indicates that the kinetic theory of granular flows describes well these high shear rate regimes and that such theory can be used to estimate agglomerate diameters. It is also found that estimated agglomerate sizes of nanometric cohesive materials can reach sizes of hundred micrometers depending upon their cohesion strength. Such agglomerate size measurements have been corroborated with those made by microscopy.

Rheology of powders and nanopowders through the use of a Couette four-bladed vane rheometer: flowability, cohesion energy, agglomerates and dustiness

Exploring a new method to study the agglomeration of powders: Application to nanopowders

Le suivi au rheometre a poudres de la viscosite de differentes poudres nanometriques a permis de montrer que dans la thematique des ecoulements granulaires, le comportement des nanoparticules est particulier, de par leur facilite d'agglomeration. L'ecoulement de nanoparticules suit trois regimes : un newtonien, coulombien et un cinetique dans lequel en estimant la desagglomeration est minimale. Une approximation d'un taux maximal de desagglomeration peut etre infere de par les signatures des cisaillements rheologiques des nanopoudres.

https://hal-ineris.archives-ouvertes.fr/ineris-00973650/document

François Henry

Papers

Ignition and explosion of nanopowders: something new under the dust

The effect of agglomeration on the emission of particles from nanopowders flow

Rheology of powders and nanopowders through the use of a Couette four-bladed vane rheometer: flowability, cohesion energy, agglomerates and dustiness

Exploring a new method to study the agglomeration of powders: Application to nanopowders

Ecoulements granulaires : approche rhéologique de l'agglomération des nanoparticules