Incendivity of electrostatic discharges in dust clouds: the minimum ignition energy problem

Minimum Ignition Energy (MIE) of dust clouds is required to assess the elec trostatic ignition risk. Recent studies are reported that indicate that the test methods in use to determine MIE give markedly different values. The u se of MIE to define the incendivity of discharges from conductors and non-c onductors is discussed and the value of data from present day tests is cons idered. (C) 2001 The Institute of Physics. Published by Elsevier Science Lt d. All rights reserved.