Prevention and mitigation of dust explosions in the process industries: A survey of recent research and development

The paper covers three aspects, viz. basic research, applied research and development on prevention and mitigation of dust explosions in industrial practice, and testing of ignitability and explosibility of dusts. With few exceptions, only works published from 1990 and onwards are referenced, i.e. publications that are not discussed in the previous survey (Eckhoff: 'Dust Explosions in the Process Industries', 1991). Increased knowledge about the numerous facets of the dust explosion hazard has created a justified request for a more differentiated approach to the design of preventive and mitigatory measures in industry. In this process, cross-fertilization between fundamental research and applied research and development is essential. Computer simulation models, carefully calibrated against experiments, will become useful tools in a not too distant future. The use of expert systems requires adequate quality assurance.