A Theoretical-Based and Generalized Method for Dust and Gaseous Deflagration Vent Sizing

A common method for equipment or building explosion protection is to provide deflagration venting. Vent sizing methods offered in current technical standards are based on empirical correlations and treat gaseous and dust applications separately. This becomes problematic for cases where the design input parameters are outside the range of experimental data. In principle, modeling developed for gas explosion venting should also apply to dust explosion venting. The difference in approach arises mainly because the models or correlations for gas explosions involve the use of the laminar or fundamental burning velocity and a turbulence correlation factor which are more difficult to specify separately for dust explosions.

In this paper we offer a generalized formula that is applicable to both gas and dust deflagration including subsonic and sonic pressure relief conditions and is consistent with available experimental data and industry experience. Application of the model is illustrated for dust explosions.