Explosion Investigations Corporations spend enormous amounts of money on explosion investigations. Yet experienced investigators know there are only 9 ignition sources. For an actual asphalt tank fire, the analysis is shown below and whether or not this ignition source was ruled out. Column 1 is labeled: What facts do we know about the incident Column 2 is labeled: What … [Read more...]
Dust Flammability – Part 2 of 3 in a Series on Explosions
Dust Flammability In this second part in our Series on Explosions and Flammability we will discuss Dust Flammability. The dust pentagon below shows that there are five (5) elements necessary for a dust deflagration to occur. Dust Flammability Pentagon Combustible dust Oxidant Ignition source Dispersion of dust Confinement of dust Although … [Read more...]
Hydrocarbon Gas Flammability – Part 1 of 3 in a Series on Explosions
Introduction to Hydrocarbon Gas Flammability Today in Part 1 we will introduce important concepts in hydrocarbon gas flammability. For a fire or deflagration to occur, three things must be present: oxygen (above the minimum oxygen of combustion), an ignition source, and hydrocarbons (in concentrations between the Upper Flammability Limit and Lower Flammability Limit). The … [Read more...]