Inhibition and extinction of explosions in heterogeneous mixtures

Solid inertants and their use in dust explosion prevention and mitigation

“…Overall, however, it is well-established that a reduction in inertant particle diameter leads to enhanced inerting performance. This has been demonstrated by Hertzberg et al (1984) for MAP and by the author and colleagues in work involving fly ash (Dastidar et al, 2002b;.…”

“…Hertzberg, Cashdollar, Zlochower, and Ng (1984) have shown that the decomposition induction time for limestone can be a factor of ten slower than the devolatilization induction time for coal dust, and its half-life for the generation of carbon dioxide a factor of four slower than the volatiles generation half-life of coal. Assuming similar decomposition limitations exist for dolomite and magnesite, it is concluded that rock dust is simply too slow in decomposing relative to coal devolatilization (which is a critical step in the homogeneous flame propagation mechanism of coal dust).…”

“…Assuming similar decomposition limitations exist for dolomite and magnesite, it is concluded that rock dust is simply too slow in decomposing relative to coal devolatilization (which is a critical step in the homogeneous flame propagation mechanism of coal dust). This occurrence has been interpreted as rock dust being 'less than thermal' in inerting effectiveness (Hertzberg et al, 1984), meaning that the added thermal loading due to rock dust decomposition does not necessarily occur. The potential magnitude of this heat-of-reaction effect is, however, quite significant.…”

Some Unresolved Fire Chemistry Problems

“…Some recent researches on extinguishment by powders are those of Mitani and Niioka (33), Kim and Reuther (34) and Hertzberg et al (35). The challenge for the future is to characterize the relative importance of thermal energy absorption, gas-phase or surface chemical kinetics, and radiative energy loss on the extinguishment process when powders are added to flames.…”

Flammability envelopes for methanol, ethanol, acetonitrile and toluene

“…This method was proposed by White (1925) and then used by Hertzberg, Cashdollar, Zlochower, and Ng (1984), Hansel, Mitchell, and Klotz (1992), Melhem (1997) and Mashuga and Crowl (1999) to predict flammability limits. Hertzberg et al (1984) and Mashuga and Crowl (1999) used the method to model the entire flammability envelope. This method will be applied to predict the flammability envelope for these flammable liquids, and the results will be compared to our experimental data.…”