Explosive Dust Test Vessel Comparison using Pulverized Pittsburgh Coal

Author

Jacob Miller
Jay Schafler
Phillip R. Mulligan, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
Robert Eades
Kyle A. Perry, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
Catherine E. Johnson, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow

Abstract

Explosions of coal dust are a major safety concern within the coal mining industry. The explosion and subsequent fires caused by coal dust can result in significant property damage, loss of life in underground coal mines and damage to coal processing facilities. The United States Bureau of Mines conducted research on coal dust explosions until 1996 when it was dissolved. In the following years, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) developed a test standard, ASTM E1226, to provide a standard test method characterizing the “explosibility” of particulate solids of combustible materials suspended in air. The research presented herein investigates the explosive characteristic of Pulverized Pittsburgh Coal dust using the ASTM E1226-12 test standard. The explosibility characteristics include: maximum explosion pressure, (P_max); maximum rate of pressure rise, (dP/dt)_max; and explosibility index, (K_st). Nine Pulverized Pittsburgh Coal dust concentrations, ranging from 30 to 1,500 g/m³ , were tested in a 20-Liter Siwek Sphere. The newly recorded dust explosibility characteristics are then compared to explosibility characteristics published by the Bureau of Mines in their 20 liter vessel and procedure predating ASTM E1126-12. The information presented in this paper will allow for structures and devices to be built to protect people from the effects of coal dust explosions.

Recommended Citation

J. Miller et al., "Explosive Dust Test Vessel Comparison using Pulverized Pittsburgh Coal," Archives of Mining Sciences, vol. 63, no. 3, pp. 713 - 726, De Gruyter Open, Oct 2018.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.24425/123693

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Second Department

Mining Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

ASTM E1226; Coal dust; Coal dust explosion; Pittsburgh coal

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1689-0469

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Final Version

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Language 2

Polish

Rights

© 2018 Polish Academy of Sciences, Committee of Mining, All rights reserved.

Creative Commons Licensing

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Publication Date

01 Oct 2018