Critique of the Dust Explosibility Index: An Alternative for Estimating Explosion Probabilities

摘要

The Bureau of Mines report proposes a new methodology for estimating industrial dust explosion hazards in terms of three probabilities or cofactors: The dispersion of the dust, the existence of a flammable dust concentration, and the presence of an effective source of ignition. The report presents a detailed critique of the deficiencies of an old, material-oriented index, and develops the logical rationale for its replacement by an approach that is better suited for quantitative hazard evaluations. A variety of such evaluations are illustrated, which show how a quantitative prediction of explosion frequencies can be obtained from laboratory measurements and operating conditions in a given industrial facility. The method has some pitfalls, particularly as they relate to the correlation of events or their randomness. These are discussed, as well as the method's other limitations and uncertainties.