(752c) Development of Pressure Evolution Modeling for the Combustion of Distinct Metal Dust Morphologies

Combustible dust explosions continue to present a significant threat toward industries processing, storing, or pneumatically conveying metal dust hazards. Recent experimental investigations performed in a Siwek 20 L sphere combustion chamber allowed for the independent characterization of explosion severity as a function of variable aluminum particle morphology. Contained ignition of suspended particulates with increasing surface irregularity exhibited a distinct rise in deflagration severity – such fuel reactivity shall be modeled as a means of predicting hazardous potential for unique metal dust processing methods. Applying the shrinking particle theory with species diffusion limitations, previously reported pressure evolution outcomes were verified through the development and implementation of closed-vessel mathematical modeling based on derivation of fundamental mass and thermal balance equations. Geometric equivalence sub-models were additionally employed to offer a means of particle diameter estimation for increasingly irregular flake dust morphologies. Although the consequence prediction models demonstrated sufficient agreement with experimentally acquired data, all relevant potential shortcomings and modes of failure were examined in detail.