EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY OF ORGANIC DUST IGNITION BEHIND SHOCK-WAVES

In the present work, an experimental study was conducted to determine the ignition characteristics of wheat flour and provender (mainly cott on seed residual) dusts, Experiments were conducted in a horizontal sh ock tube, with a new technique for distributing the dusts. Samples wit h different shapes and the same volumes are suspended in the centre of the shock tube, and the shock wave is responsible for disperson of th e dusts. The ignition delay time of the aforementioned dusts, based on the pressure rise criterion, has been measured. Experimental results show the influence of dust concentration on the ignition pressure diff erence, and the ignition delay time. In addition, the effect of the sa mple shapes on ignition delay time is shown. Kinetic constants of grai n dusts are also estimated by using the experimental results. The flam mability limits and concentration at optimum conditions for these dust s are determined. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd