Reduction of dust explosion hazard by fuel substitution in power plants

An experimental investigation of the dust explosion hazard in fossil fuel-fired power plants has been carried out. Explosion tests were conducted in a 201 Siwek chamber to determine the effect of substituting petroleum coke for either Columbian coal or Powder River Basin coal. From the perspectives of explosion pressure and rate of pressure rise, petroleum coke was found to be an inherently safer fuel than either of the coals. Blending petroleum coke with either or both of these coals also resulted in an inherently safer fuel. Thus, in all cases tested, the presence of petroleum coke in the fuel reduced the prevailing dust explosion hazard (primarily because of the low volatile content of the petroleum coke).