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Dust from industrial-scale processing of nanomaterials carries high explosion risk

Date:
February 15, 2012
Source:
American Chemical Society
Summary:
With expanded production of nanomaterials fast approaching, scientists are reporting indications that dust generated during processing may explode more easily than dust from other common dust explosion hazards. Their article indicates that nanomaterial dust could explode from a spark with only 1/30th the energy needed to ignite sugar dust — cause of the 2008 Portwentworth, Georgia, explosion that killed 13 people, injured 42 people and destroyed a factory.
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With expanded industrial-scale production of nanomaterials fast approaching, scientists are reporting indications that dust generated during processing of nanomaterials may explode more easily than dust from wheat flour, cornstarch and most other common dust explosion hazards.

Their article in ACS' journal Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research indicates that nanomaterial dust could explode due to a spark with only 1/30th the energy needed to ignite sugar dust -- the cause of the 2008 Portwentworth, Georgia, explosion that killed 13 people, injured 42 people and destroyed a factory.

Paul Amyotte and colleagues explain that dust explosions are among the earliest recorded causes of industrial accidents -- dating back to a 1785 flour warehouse disaster -- and are still a constant threat at facilities that process fine particles of various materials. Despite significant research, there is still much for scientists to learn about the risks of dust explosions in industry, especially of so-called "nontraditional" dusts (such as those made of nanomaterials), and a constant threat exists. That's why the researchers decided to probe the explosibility of three types of nontraditional dusts: nanomaterials; flocculent (fibrous or fuzzy) materials used in various products, such as floor coverings; and hybrid mixtures of a dust and a flammable gas or vapor.

After reviewing results of studies that exist on the topic, the researchers concluded that the energy needed to ignite nanomaterials made of metals, such as aluminum, is less than 1 mJ, which is less than 1/30th the energy required to ignite sugar dust or less than 1/60th the energy required to set wheat dust aflame. Flocking is often made with a process that generates static electricity, which could set off an explosion of flocculent dust, they point out. And the addition of a flammable gas or vapor to a dust as a hybrid mixture increases the chance that the dust will explode. The researchers warn that precautions should be taken to prevent these materials from exposure to sparks, collisions or friction, which could fuel an explosion.


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Materials provided by American Chemical Society. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. S. Morgan Worsfold, Paul R. Amyotte, Faisal I. Khan, Ashok G. Dastidar, Rolf K. Eckhoff. Review of the Explosibility of Nontraditional Dusts. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2012; 120125112424001 DOI: 10.1021/ie201614b

Cite This Page:

American Chemical Society. "Dust from industrial-scale processing of nanomaterials carries high explosion risk." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 15 February 2012. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120215143112.htm>.
American Chemical Society. (2012, February 15). Dust from industrial-scale processing of nanomaterials carries high explosion risk. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120215143112.htm
American Chemical Society. "Dust from industrial-scale processing of nanomaterials carries high explosion risk." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120215143112.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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