Fire and explosion hazards during handling and use of nano dusts

Project-Nr. FF-FP0308

Status:

ongoing 09/2010

Aims:

Objectives of the project are to determine and review, in which industries, plants and processes risk of fires and explosions during the handling of nanomaterials may occur, whether during the handling and production of nanomaterials a greater risk can be assumed than for micro dusts and to derive safe operating parameters.
Furthermore it is intended to create the necessary preconditions for a safe determination of the fire and explosion characteristics of respective dusts. Therefore it is necessary - depending on different test methods - to change or improve experimental apparatuses and sample preparation with respect to health protection and avoidance of changes in particle size distribution compared to the condition at time of sample collection. The burning and explosion behaviour could be affected by agglomeration (or coagulation) in a way which might lead to an underestimation of the real hazard potential.
Both explosion hazards of dust dispersed in air as well as hazards of dust deposits, such as fires as a result of spontaneous combustion have to be considered.

Activities/Methods:

Determination by on-site inspections and investigation whether and in which plants and processes flammable nanodusts can occur in concentrations that generate explosive dust I air mixtures. Determination of maximum volume of bulks and containers with nanodusts and ultrafine particles, maximum storage time and temperature.
Verification in dependence of respective processes if rather single particles and small agglomerates are suspended or larger agglomerates, which may behave like micro dusts, arise through suspension. Measurements in the testing laboratory regarding particle release into work areas during testing and sample preparation and changes of the particle size distribution during sample preparation and testing. If necessary, optimization of the different test apparatuses.
Studies on combustion and explosion behaviour of selected nanodusts, ultrafine particles and dusts with equivalent fractions of fine particles.
Development of measures for the safe operation of plants in which nanodusts are handled or manufactured based on plant inspections, determined safety characteristics and simulations of spontaneous combustion of nano bulk materials.

Last update:

02/05/11