EXPLOSION

An explosion is a rapid increase in volume and release of energy in an extreme manner, usually with the generation of high temperatures and the release of gases. The released energy is then dissipated by a variety of mechanisms, including formation of a pressure wave; projectiles, thermal radiation, and acoustic energy.

CAUSES
Natural Chemical Electrical and magnetic Mechanical and vapour Nuclear

CAUSES
Gases, vapours and mists escape during the production, processing, transportation and storage of flammable substances in the chemical and petrochemical industries, in mining and in many other sectors. During many processes, especially in food industries, combustible dusts are also created. These flammable gases, vapours, mists, and dusts form an explosive atmosphere with the oxygen in the air. If this atmosphere is ignited, explosions take place, which can result in severe harm to human life and property.

The Basic Physic Principles

What is a HAZARDOUS AREA?

A hazardous area is defined as an area in which an explosive atmosphere is present, or may be expected to be present, in quantities such as to require special precautions for the construction, installation, and use of potential ignition sources. Examples: Petrochemical, Chemical, Sewerage Treatment, Grain Handling, Coal Mining

Hazardous Area Classification

A Hazardous Area is classified according to the following 3 criteria : The type of hazard - gas or dust. Probability of explosive atmosphere occurring. The nature of the hazard.

Hazardous Area Classification

TYPE OF HAZARD CLASS I - Gas/vapour/mist. CLASS II - Dusts.

Hazardous Area Classification

PROBABILITY OF HAZARD OCCURRING

Hazardous Area Classification

NATURE OF HAZARD Group I - Coal Mining (methane) Group II - Other Industries Group IIA (e.g. propane, butane) Group IIB (e.g. ethylene, butadiene) Group IIC (e.g. acetylene, hydrogen)

Basic principles of explosion protection

1 Preventing the formation of an explosive atmosphere

Avoidance of the ignition of an explosive atmosphere

Mitigation of the effects of an explosion to an acceptable extent

Preventing explosive atmospheres (Primary Explosion Protection)

The term primary explosion protection refers to all precautions, which prevent a hazardous explosive atmosphere from being created. This can be achieved by: > avoiding flammable substances (replacement technologies) > inerting (addition of nitrogen, carbon dioxide etc.) > limitation of the concentration by means of natural or technical ventilation

Avoiding ignition of explosive atmospheres

If the danger of explosion cannot be completely or only partly avoided by measures of preventing the formation of an hazardous explosive atmosphere, then measures must be taken that avoid the ignition of the explosive atmosphere.

Mitigation of the explosion effects (Constructive Explosion Protection)

If hazardous explosive atmospheres cannot be safely avoided and their ignition cannot be excluded, then measures must be taken which limit the effect of explosions to a safe degree. e.g. by means of: > explosion pressure resistant construction > explosion relief devices > explosion suppression by means of extinguishers

Designing Facilities for Use of Explosive Materials

Pressure rate-of-rise detectors can activate a device or system to extinguish a potential explosion before it reaches an explosive stage. Controlling ventilation & humidity level above 25% Fixed monitoring for mass and size fraction using lightscattering laser photometers providing real-time aerosol mass readings. Inerting purging supply of oxygen when flammable atmospheres are detected with care being taken for those workers in the area Min Ignition Energy, Temp.,Concentration.

Design of Buildings
Relief of overpressure break away & blow out walls and window openings to minimize destructiveness (explosion release panel) Shielding personnel and equipment deflection of shock wave so as not to pass unobstructived into another work area. Explosive proof wall or barrier Burst vessel/container disk venting away to transmit pressure wave harmlessly to outside atmosphere

Protection Measures
The facility has an emergency action plan. Dust collectors are not located inside of buildings. (Some exceptions) Rooms, buildings, or other enclosures (dust collectors) have explosion relief venting distributed over the exterior wall of buildings and enclosures. Explosion venting is directed to a safe location away from employees. The facility has isolation devices to prevent deflagration propagation between pieces of equipment connected by ductwork. The dust collector systems have spark detection and explosion/ deflagration suppression systems. Emergency exit routes are maintained properly.

Explosion Protection Techniques

Explosion Containment Ex d - Flameproof enclosure An enclosure for electrical equipment that will withstand, without damage, an explosion of a prescribed flammable mixture. Applications Switch gear, motors..
(all apparatus producing arcs)

Explosion Protection Techniques

Energy Limitation Ex i - Intrinsically safe - Limitation of electrical energy or thermal effect under normal or abnormal conditions that cause ignition of a potentially explosive atmosphere

Explosion Protection Techniques

Dilution

Ex v Ventilation Avoidance of Ignition Source Ex e - Increased safety Ex n - Non-sparking (inherent)