Publications
: Articles
Industrial Explosion Hazards
 | Avoiding the Big Bang | | The number of industrial explosions is relatively low, but incidents do still occur, causing injury and even death, as well as property damage. New legislation is being introduced in Europe as a consequence of the ATEX Directive... |  Available for download to Subscribers | | |  | Dust Explosions and the Classification of Dusts in Safety Data Sheets | | The lack of official guidance on the inclusion of dust explosions hazard information on safety data sheets makes it necessary for users to consider the whole safety data sheets before making any judgement. | | Available for download to Subscribers | | |  | Dust Explosions in the Food Industry - A Safety Focus | | Powder explosions and fires in the food industry tend to be treated as rather private affairs by most companies. After all, which company would like to have their new snack or drink associated with explosions and stigma attached? In general, it is only those events of sufficient consequence that get reported to the authorities. Yet, it is important for everyone to know what can go wrong, where it can happen and what the consequences can be... | | Download .pdf | | |  | Dust Explosions, What Risk? What Statistics? | | It is well known that dust explosions have a very large damage potential and that they
actually occur in industrial plant. On the other hand, most plants operate for many years
without incident. It is therefore useful, at the start of this seminar, to review the historical
evidence of dust explosions, and to see whether significant trends can be found. | | Download .pdf | | |  | Explosion Hazards - The Changes Ahead | | In spite of the relatively low incidence of dust explosions, we often find that improvements would be needed to comply with statutory requirements and to operate a plant at a level of risk that is as low as reasonably practicable. Shortcomings often arise because the explosion hazards issue is considered too late in the design process, making it more difficult to implement the necessary changes. | | Download .pdf | | |  | Explosion Prevention | | Laboratory testing can prevent explosions and fires in the chemical and process industries. Incident data from UK industry makes grim reading: around 30 fires per year in powder drying operations, 50 thermal runaway chemical reactions that go out of control and 40 or so industrial explosions involving dust clouds alone. | | Download .pdf | | |  | EXPLOSIONS PART 1 OF 3 - Testing | | In this article we look at explosion of gases, aerosols and dust clouds and specifically at
how laboratory tests can be used to identify the hazard and assess and control the risk of
explosion on chemical plant. In a subsequent article we will address the area of hazardous
powder decompositions.
Technology looked at the explosion of gases, aerosols and dust clouds and specifically how laboratory tests can be used to identify the hazard, and to assess and control the risk of explosion on chemical plant. | | Download .pdf | | | | EXPLOSIONS PART 2 OF 3 - Runaway Reactions | | In the first article in this series Dr Paul Cartwright and Gary Pilkington of Chilworth Technology looked at the explosion of gases, aerosols and dust clouds and specifically how laboratory tests can be used to identify the hazard, and to assess and control the risk of explosion on chemical plant. | | Download .pdf | | |  | EXPLOSIONS PART 3 OF 3 - Powder Decomposition | | When powders are exposed to heat - either deliberately in dryers or inadvertently in process plant - or when powders are packaged whilst warm into large containers, hoppers or silos, many will decompose exothermically. | | Download .pdf | | |  | Explosions Risks in Silo Filling and Discharge | | Many bulk solids are flammable and when dispersed as a dust cloud in air, can cause a dust explosion. Because silos are very large volumes, the consequences of a dust explosion in a silo can be devastating. When silos are interconnected, either directly or via the solids handling equipment, the explosion can propagate from one silo to the next and the consequences are even more severe. This paper will review when how dust explosions can occur in silos and what preventative and protective measures are available to control the risks. | | Download .pdf | | |  | FLAMMABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF POWDERS | | This paper presents a brief review of the flammability characteristics of powders and dusts and addresses some fundamentals of uncontrolled combustion phenomena. | | Download .pdf | | |  | Partial Inerting of Flammable Dust-Air Mixtures | | Inert gas purging or inerting of flammable dust atmospheres is a well-known safety measure. Chilworth Technology has recently completed a European Commission funded research project into ignition prevention in partially inerted dust-air atmospheres. The research was carried out in association with TNO Prins Maurits Laboratory in the Netherlands. This paper presents some of the results obtained and discusses the possible application of the data. | | Download .pdf | | |
Chemical Reaction Hazards
 | Application of Large Scale Testing to the Design of an Emergency Relief System | | This paper presents the findings of an emergency relief system sizing exercise which indicated that classical DIERS sizing techniques for two phase flow from a gassy system was over conservative when employed in drying operations, and that a substantial reduction in the vent area could be achieved based on experimental data obtained from large scale simulation of the relief process. | | Download .pdf | | |  | CHEMICAL REACTION HAZARDS UPDATE | | A round-up of new services and events from the Chilworth chemical process section during 2005. Information on our PreVent launch at Old Trafford, Manchester and a case study of how even simple processes can go wrong. | | Available for download to Subscribers | | |  | Emergency Relief and Containment for a Hazardous Process | | Nowadays there is, justifiably, a lot more focus on the environmental impact of relieving to atmosphere. Add to this the fact that the hazardous nature of some materials can include pyrophoric behaviour and a tendency to decompose violently under certain circumstances, and it can be seen that the provision of safety solutions can include a combination of different technologies and innovative thinking. | | Download .pdf | | |  | Methodology of Reaction Hazards Investigation and Vent Sizing | | This paper discusses the advances in adiabatic Dewar calorimetry with reference to specific recent developments and case studies (including polymerisation processes, a Grignard reaction inhibition studies and a chlorination process) which illustrate the versatility of the commercially available ADC II equipment. | | Download .pdf | | |
Electrostatic
 | Electrostatic Hazards in the Aerosol Industry | | The generation of electrostatic charge is common in everyday life. It arises as the audible ‘crackles’ when we comb our hair, as the ‘shock’ we feel as we get our of our car and as the cling of dust to the television screen. It is perhaps only to be expected that electrostatic manifests itself in many industrial situations, sometimes causing disruption to production and occasionally providing the ignition source for industrial fire or even explosion. | | Download .pdf | | |  | Electrostatic Hazards in the Chemical Process Industry | | In the chemical process industries, electrostatic ignition risks often go unrecognised. This article describes the electrostatic charging processes and hazards during liquid and powder processing operations. It covers the general principles and procedures that minimise the electrostatic risks. By using a case study associated with the manual transfer of materials into a chemical reaction vessel, electrostatic hazards are clearly illustrated | | Download .pdf | | |  | Electrostatic Hazards in the Process Industries | | This paper provides a technical overview of the subject of electrostatic hazards. It includes a discussion on some of the basic concepts and identifies a number of ways static hazards can be addressed. | | Available for download to Subscribers | | |  | Electrostatics and Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBCs) | | Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBCs) are a convenient and useful means of storing and transporting materials. But they are not without their dangers; barely perceptible discharges from handling FIBCs can ignite vapors and dust clouds. This article investigates the risks and preventative measures that can be taken.
| | Download .pdf | | |  | Static Electricity and the Pharmacutical Industry | | There is no doubt that static electricity costs the pharmaceutical industry dearly. The cost can often be measured in terms of production rates, yields, and down time in a wide range of operations. Unfortunately when static leads to damage to plant, environmental damage, injury to personnel, or even loss of life, the cost, in human terms at least, may be quite immeasurable. | | Download .pdf | | |  | Testing the Suitablilty of FIBCs for Use in Flammable Atmospheres | | Are you aware that handling your dry bulk material in flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs) can produce electrostatic discharge? In a flammable atmosphere, the result could be a damaging dust or vapour explosion. This article describes a consulting firm`s tests of FIBCs made of standard, groundable, and antistatic fabrics to determine how suitable each is for use in a flammable atmosphere. Sections cover the test apparatus, procedure, and results; a charge transfer analysis of the standard and antistatic FIBCs; and how you can apply the test results when selecting an FIBC for use in a flammable atmosphere.
| | Download .pdf | | |
Regulatory
Consultancy
 | Area Classification as a Tool for Risk Assessment | | This paper proposes an extension to the structured approach to hazardous area classification in order to (a) assess the risk of the coincidence of ignition sources and flammable atmospheres, and (b) examine the consequences of such an ignition. In other words, the exercise can be used to point the way to controlling flammable atmospheres as well as ignition sources. If neither can be sufficiently controlled, explosion protection or other means of reducing the risk to an acceptable, level may be chosen. | | Available for download to Subscribers | | |  | Avoiding Catastrophes - Process Safety Culture | | Thankfully catastrophic losses from fire, explosion and toxic chemical release do not happen frequently, but when they do they become fixed in people’s consciousness (Bhopal, Chernobyl, Buncefield, etc.). These catastrophes have often had profound effects, resulting from loss of life, damage to the environment and major economic impact. | | Available for download to Subscribers | | |  | Explosion in a Filter (Incident) | | This paper considers an actual explosion caused by an electrostatic discharge. The company concerned had a filter to collect the material and was one of the types with numerous internal socks. | | Download .pdf | | |  | Process Safety Culture | | Good corporate process safety culture is demonstrated by the actual performance of the process safety management systems in the operating facilities, not by a filing cabinet full of standards and procedures, hazard studies, audit reports and other documents. Systems and procedures are important and necessary, but they do not ensure effective process safety management. The systems must be real and functioning, not just paper systems. Originally published in the Journal of Chemical Health and Safety http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/620355/description#description
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