The main topic of the master’s thesis is dust explosions of particleboard dust and cellulose dust. A dust explosion is a dangerous phenomenon that can cause serious injuries and damage to people, equipment and the environment. Understanding this phenomenon is critical for preventing dust explosions.
In the first part, the theoretical basis of dust explosions is presented, namely combustion, the conditions for the formation of a dust explosion and the main factors that influence the course of the explosion itself, e.g. particle shape and size, moisture content, chemical composition, dust concentration, oxidant concentration and turbulence. The explosion parameters are also presented, which describe the sensitivity and the intensity of the explosion. The consequences of an explosion if it occurs despite the measures taken are described, as well as the measures that can be taken to prevent the occurrence of an explosion or at least mitigate its consequences.
As part of the experimental work, we carried out measurements of material characteristics and explosion parameters for cellulose dust and particleboard dust. Before starting the measurements, individual fraction sizes were obtained using a sieving analysis for a particleboard dust sample. We then determined the size and size distribution of the selected samples, the specific surface area, the moisture content with thermal analysis and the content of the elements carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen with elemental analysis. After determining the material characteristics, we also carried out measurements of the explosion parameters - minimum ignition energy, minimum explosion concentration, maximum explosion pressure, maximum speed of pressure rise and calculated the deflagration index.
In the last part of the master's thesis, the confirmation or refutation of the assumed hypotheses follows and also the comparison of measurements with data from the literature.
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