Dust Explosion Dynamics

Dust Explosion Dynamics focuses on the combustion science that governs the behavior of the three primary hazards of combustible dust: dust explosions, flash fires, and smoldering. It explores the use of fundamental principles to evaluate the magnitude of combustible dust hazards in a variety of settings. Models are developed to describe dust combustion phenomena using the principles of thermodynamics, transport phenomena, and chemical kinetics. Simple, tractable models are described first and compared with experimental data, followed by more sophisticated models to help with future challenges. Dr. Ogle introduces the reader to just enough combustion science so that they may read, interpret, and use the scientific literature published on combustible dusts. This introductory text is intended to be a practical guide to the application of combustible dust models, suitable for both students and experienced engineers. It will help you to describe the dynamics of explosions and fires involving dust and evaluate their consequences which in turn will help you prevent damage to property, injury and loss of life from combustible dust accidents.

Dr. Russell Ogle applies his expertise as a chemical engineer to the scientific investigation and prevention of accidents, with particular emphasis on fires, explosions, and chemical releases. He specializes in the investigation of complex industrial accidents, catastrophic fires and explosions, incendiary fires (arson), and combustible dust hazards. Dr. Ogle has investigated hundreds of fires and explosions in industrial, commercial, and residential settings. Drawing from his diverse accident investigation experience, he has provided process safety consulting services to the chemical, petroleum, natural gas, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and food processing industries. He is experienced in combustible dust hazard analysis, process hazard analysis, safety risk assessment, and decision analysis. Dr. Ogle was awarded one of the first doctorates in the United States based on dust explosion testing using the 20-liter sphere, and he was one of the first investigators to analyze dust explosion data using chemical kinetics and computational fluid dynamics. He has a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University (1980) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering from the University of Iowa (1986). He has 30 years of industrial experience working in fire, explosion, and chemical safety and is a licensed professional engineer (PE) in several states, a certified safety professional (CSP), and a certified fire and explosion investigator (CFEI).

1. Introduction to combustible dust hazards 2. The key physical properties of combustible dust 3. Thermodynamics of dust combustion 4. Transport phenomena for dust combustion 5. Smoldering phenomena 6. Dust particle combustion models 7. Unconfined dust flame propagation 8. Confined unsteady dust flame propagation 9. Dust flame acceleration effects 10. Comprehensive dust explosion modeling