• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.62-69
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• 2023

The use of low-grade coal is continuously increasing with the development of combustion technology and cost reduction for coal used in thermal power plants . During combustion, the latent heat of evaporation due to moisture is large, and there is a risk of spontaneous combustion and dust explosion during the process of storing and pulverizing coal. This study compared and evaluated the minimum explosive concentration and explosive strength of four types of coal dust-fine, coal dust-coarse, wood pallet+organic dust, and wood chip with coal powder collected from domestic power plant D. The minimum explosive concentration of coal dust was measured according to JIS Z 8818:2002, and the explosion strength was tested according to ASTM E1226 using a Siwek 20 L Chamber Apparatus. As a result of the minimum explosive concentration test, it was found that coal dust-fine has a risk of dust explosion, and since an explosion occurs at a dust concentration of 130 g/m³ of wood chips, it was found that there is a risk of explosion at the lowest dust concentration. According to the dust explosion class standard, Kst is less than 200 bar m/s, and all samples fall under the explosion class St 1, and the dust has a low risk of explosion.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.257-263
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• 2008

We have examined explosion characteristics of bituminous coal dusts in cement manufacturing process. In order to find the thermal properties, we investigated weight loss and ignition temperature of coal materials using TGA and DSC. Also specific surface area of dust was investigated. Dust explosion experiments with Hartman's dust explosion apparatus have been conducted by varying concentration and size of coal dust for explosion probability and lower limit explosion concentration. According to the results for thermal properties, there is a little change by dust size. However, the specific surface area of dust is increased by decreasing dust size. The explosion test results show that small size and increasing concentration of dusts make dust explosion easier. And we find that the lower limit explosion concentration of bituminous coal is $0.3mg/cm^3$ and the probability is 100% on $0.9mg/cm^3$ in 170/200 mesh used in cement manufacturing process.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.327-334
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• 2024

The risks associated with coal dust explosion were investigated by analyzing various characteristics affecting the possibility of explosion. Samples were collected directly from two regions of the transfer process where the most explosions occurred in coal-fired power plants, and the composition ratio and average particle diameter that could affect the experiment were considered. As experimental items, explosion intensity, particle size and distribution, moisture content, dust concentration, minimum ignition energy, minimum ignition temperature, and oxygen concentration that affect the explosion were evaluated. As a result, the explosion intensity was found to have a maximum explosion pressure of 7.1 bar at a dust concentration of 500 g/m³ in sample A, and the maximum explosion pressure increase rate was 366 bar/s. In terms of dust particle diameter and particle size distribution, sample A had an average diameter of 35 ㎛ (D 50%), which was smaller than sample B. The moisture content was 5.7% in sample A, which was more than twice as high as 2.5% in sample B. The minimum explosion concentration was 400 g/m³ in sample A, which was lower than 2,000 g/m³ in sample B, so it had a risk. Since neither sample exploded at 1,000 mJ, it is judged that if the minimum energy is 500 mJ or higher, it can be regarded as dust with a low sensitivity to ignition compared to similar previous studies. The minimum ignition temperature was 532℃ in sample A and 634℃ in sample B, so sample A was more dangerous than sample B. The marginal oxygen concentration was 18.0% in both samples, so it is judged that there is a constant risk of explosion in the atmosphere.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.77-82
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• 2011

In the industrial site of 21st century, there are many and various powders of material, product and fuel of coal, chemical, detergent, paint, feed and more. Therefore, there always is a possible danger of dust explosion in each and every procedure and actually, there are increasing frequency of dust explosion as the use of dust and its amount increases in processes. Therefore, if we leave the current status like now, the unexpected massive dust explosion and its risk cannot be effectively prevented so there has to be effective application of understanding and development of explosion-prevention technology about dust explosion. Therefore, this research set the limit of research to systematically arrange the research results about dust explosion phenomenon and its prevention up to date and has its purpose to theoretically establish the prevention technology about dust explosion based on these theories.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.134-140
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• 2023

Activated carbon is a carbonaceous material mainly used as a gaseous or liquid adsorbent. As fire-related accidents occur consistently due to the accumulation of heat of adsorption and oxidation of volatile organic compounds, the explosive characteristics and thermal stability of powdered and granular activated carbon made from coal and coconut shells were evaluated. As a result of the particle size analysis, the powdered activated carbon was in the particle size range (0.4~3) ㎛, and thermal properties such as exothermic onset temperature and decomposition behavior were analyzed using a differential scanning calorimetry and a thermogravimetric analysis. As a result of the evaluation of the explosion hazards for dust, both coal-based and coconut-based powdered activated carbon are classified as St1 class with weak explosion, but this is a relative and does not mean that the explosion hazards is absolutely low. Therefore, it is necessary to establish countermeasures for reducing the damage.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.322-334
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• 2020

Background: Spontaneous combustion of coal is one of the factors which causes direct or indirect gas and dust explosion, mine fire, the release of toxic gases, loss of reserve, and loss of miners' life. To avoid these incidents, the prediction of spontaneous combustion is essential. The safety of miner's in the mining field can be assured if the prediction of a coal fire is carried out at an early stage. Method: Adularya Underground Coal Mine which is fully mechanized with longwall mining method was selected as a case study area. The data collected for 2017, by sensors from ten gas monitoring stations were used for the simulation and prediction of a coal fire. In this study, the fuzzy logic model is used because of the uncertainties, nonlinearity, and imprecise variables in the data. For coal fire prediction, CO, O₂, N₂, and temperature were used as input variables whereas fire intensity was considered as the output variable.The simulation of the model is carried out using the Mamdani inference system and run by the Fuzzy Logic Toolbox in MATLAB. Results: The results showed that the fuzzy logic system is more reliable in predicting fire intensity with respect to uncertainties and nonlinearities of the data. It also indicates that the 1409 and 610/2B gas station points have a greater chance of causing spontaneous combustion and therefore require a precautional measure. Conclusion: The fuzzy logic model shows higher probability in predicting fire intensity with the simultaneous application of many variables compared with Graham's index.