Explosion Risk of Solid Biofuels (eBook)

Acknowledgements 6
Contents 7
Part I Combustible Solids 10
1 Solid Fuels: Fossil and Renewable Combustible Products 11
1.1 Origin of Fuel Natural Products: From Peat to Anthracite 11
1.2 Types and Characteristics of Coal 12
1.3 Use of Coal 13
References 14
2 Solid Biofuels 15
2.1 Classification 15
2.2 Composition and Characteristics of the Different Types of Biomass 16
2.3 Use of Biomass 20
References 20
3 Risk in Handling Solid Fuels 22
3.1 Self-ignition 22
3.1.1 The Phenomena of Self-ignition and Spontaneous Combustion 22
3.1.2 Mathematical Models Explaining the Phenomena 24
3.1.3 Factors Influencing the Self-ignition and Spontaneous Combustion of Solid Fuels 25
3.1.4 Empirical Determination of Self-ignition Tendency 26
3.2 Smouldering 27
3.3 Dust Explosions 28
References 31
4 Flammability Parameters 33
4.1 General Characteristics 33
4.1.1 Moisture Content 33
4.1.2 Particle Size 34
4.2 Ignition Sensibility 35
4.2.1 Minimum Ignition Temperature 35
4.2.2 Lower Explosibility Limit 37
4.2.3 Minimum Ignition Energy 38
4.3 Explosion Severity 39
4.3.1 Maximum Pressure, Characteristic Constant and Maximum Rate of Pressure Rise 40
4.3.2 Limiting Oxygen Concentration 41
4.4 Thermal Susceptibility 42
4.4.1 Maciejasz Index 42
4.4.2 Temperature of Flammable Volatiles 43
4.4.3 Thermogravimetric Analysis 43
4.4.4 Differential Scanning Calorimetry 48
References 49
5 Composition and Characteristics 51
5.1 Elemental Analysis 51
5.2 Proximate Analysis 54
5.2.1 Ash Content 54
5.2.2 Volatile Content 58
5.2.3 Moisture Content 59
5.2.4 Influence of Elemental Analyses in the Flammability of Fuels 60
5.2.5 Influence of Proximate Analyses in the Flammability of Fuels 61
References 62
6 Fuel Mixtures 64
6.1 Types and Uses in Industry 64
6.2 Ignition Characteristics 65
References 67
Part II Industrial Position 68
7 Accidents 69
7.1 Fires 69
7.1.1 Real Cases of Fires in Biofuels Industries 71
7.2 Explosions 73
7.2.1 Domino Effect 73
7.2.2 Real Cases of Explosions in Biofuels Industries 74
7.3 Poisoning 75
7.3.1 Real Cases of Poisoning Accidents in Biofuels 75
References 76
8 Legislation 77
8.1 European Directives 77
8.2 National Regulations 80
8.2.1 Environmental and Energy Regulations 80
8.2.2 Safety Regulations 83
8.3 Standards 86
References 89
9 Safety Measures 91
9.1 Prevention 91
9.1.1 Avoid Flammable Products 92
9.1.2 Reduce the Concentration or the Production of Fine Particles 92
9.1.3 Reduce Accumulation of Dust 92
9.1.4 Avoid Dispersion 92
9.1.5 Act on Ignition Sources 93
9.1.6 Inertization 93
9.2 Protection 93
9.2.1 Equipment 94
9.2.2 Installations 99
9.2.3 Explosion Suppression 105
References 107