Comparative analysis of critical factors for nozzle consideration in dust explosion testing: Comparative analysis of critical factors for nozzle consideration in dust explosion testing

TLDR: In this article, a comparison of the performance of these nozzles using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) as a tool, to understand the different parameters of dispersion, and the impact they have on the dust explosion.

Abstract: Despite extensive research and efforts in handling and mitigation of dust explosion, accidents involving dust explosion take place. The mention of dust explosion in the literature dates to 1785, but industry professionals from oil and gas are unaware of this hazard. An incident is reported leading to the demise of two workers while attempting to unload barite powders. The process industry is highly dependent on powdered chemicals which are used as an additive in drilling fluid and cements such as barite, bentonite, calcium carbonate, lead sulphides, NaOH, etc. The explosive behaviour of these dusts can be determined with the help of the Kst values. The Kst value is dependent on the confinement, dispersion of particles, size of the dust particle, the source of ignition, and presence of free oxygen. Usually, an experimental setup of 20L sphere with two different types of nozzles i.e., perforated annular nozzle or rebound nozzles are majorly used to calculate the value of Kst. While the setup is being prepared at our end, this work presents a comparison of the performance of these nozzles using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) as a tool, to understand the different parameters of dispersion, and the impact they have on the dust explosion.