Dust explosion of grinded sulphur

[TheDruid]

Hi folks,

i'm in need of some advice:

a customer of our's is having troubles with his big-bag station. He fills 700-800 kg of grinded sulphur from a 1000 kg big bag to another big bag.

Again and again dust explosions occur.
Source is the friction of the material itself, not material-wall friction.

The system is not closed (sadly). Grounding did not work.

What are possible solutions to this problem ?

We are thinking atm:

reducing falling height of one bigbag to the other
closing the system
inertisation (nitrogen ?)
ventilation

best wishes

Alex.

 

[Chance17]

See tha attached article especially Table 6 and section about bag materials.

 

[zelgar]

Here's a few links to the CSB.org (Chemical Safety Board) of several completed investigations on actual dust explosions and fires:
West Pharmaceutical Services Dust Explosion and Fire, Location: Kinston, NC, January 29, 2003 -

http://www.csb.gov/investigations/detail.aspx?SID=36&Type=2&pg=1&F_All=y

CTA Acoustics Dust Explosion and Fire, Location: Corbin, KY, February 20, 2003 -

http://www.csb.gov/investigations/detail.aspx?SID=35&Type=2&pg=1&F_AccidentTypeId=1

Hayes Lemmerz Dust Explosions and Fire, Location: Huntington, IN, October 29, 2003 -

http://www.csb.gov/investigations/detail.aspx?SID=33&Type=2&pg=1&F_All=y

Combustible Dust Hazard Investigation, Location: Washington, DC, October 01, 2004 -

http://www.csb.gov/investigations/detail.aspx?SID=24&Type=2&pg=1&F_All=y

Imperial Sugar Company Dust Explosion and Fire, Location: Port Wentworth, GA, February 07, 2008 -

http://www.csb.gov/investigations/detail.aspx?SID=6&Type=2&pg=1&F_All=y

 

[TheDruid]

Hi folks,

thank you very much for the much appreciated information. After i worked it through, i'll probably get back to you,

since then

Alex.