DETERMINATION, PREVENTION AND MITIGATION OF POTENTIAL HAZARDS DUE TO THE HANDLING OF POWDERS DURING TRANSPORTATION, CHARGING, DISCHARGING AND STORAGE

The knowledge of the ignition behavior of dust-air mixtures due to ele ctrical sparks (MIE, Minimum Ignition Energy) and hot surfaces (MIT, M inimum Ignition Temperature) is important for risk assessments in chem ical production plants. The ignition behavior determines the extent an d hence the cost of preventive protection measures This paper describe s the use the minimum ignition energy and minimum ignition temperature as very important safety indexes in practice. Based on the latest res ults from large scale experiments on pneumatic filling of silos with p olymeric materials and new results of full scale filling tests using f lexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBC) manufactured from a variet y of materials, guidance can be given to ensure safe operation in diff erent situations such as filling, emptying operations, type of powder handled. The aim of this paper is to assist people dealing with produc t. It reflects the present state of the art and current knowledge of t he assessment and measures association with powder handling.