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Element 2. Oxygen
The Oxygen content in the air is necessary to support an explosion. However, any oxidizer, such as nitrous oxide, bleach, peroxide compounds, ozone, etc. may also support an explosion.
Element 3. Dispersion
Dust needs to be dispersed in the air to achieve a concentration at which it can explode. Suspension is controlled by particle size and shape. Smaller particles are more easily suspended. When solid particles are propelled upward into the air or poured through the air from above, the particles separate and become surrounded by air. This maximizes the surface available for combustion and maximizes the rate at which combustion can occur. The particles eventually fall out of suspension with the smaller particles falling more slowly than larger ones. Suspension of a dust in air requires the investment of energy (mechanical work) to lift the particulate into the air. Some sources of suspension are moving air, pneumatic conveying, mechanical conveying, pouring, acoustic impulses, other deflagrations, mechanical impact and vibrations. When particles are suspended, a concentration gradient will develop where concentration varies continuously from high concentration to low concentration. The explosible range is quite narrow, approximately 50 100 g/m3 on the lean side to 2 3 kg/m3 on the rich side. There is a minimum concentration that must exist before a flame front will propagate. This concentration depends on particle size and chemical composition. The concentration may be measured in grams/cubic meter or ounces/cubic foot. Smaller particles provide
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Element 4. Confinement
Buildings, process equipment, ducting, piping and dust collection equipment are types of confinement. Combustible dust that is confined may achieve concentrations sufficient to explode easier.
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