Dust Explosions - Critical Temperatures and Concentrations

Critical temperatures and concentration parameters for some common substances as coal, zinc, uranium and more

There are some basic rules to observe to see whether a dust is capable of causing a dust explosion:

• The dust must be combustible
• The dust must be airborne
• The dust must have a size distribution capable of flame propagation
• The dust concentration must be within the explosive concentration range
• An ignition source with high enough temperature must be present
• The atmosphere must contain sufficient oxygen to support and sustain combustion.

Critical temperatures and dust concentrations of some common substances where the explosion dangers are acute can be found in the table below.

• 1 ft³ = 0.02832 m³= 28.32 dm³ = 0.03704 yd³ = 6.229 Imp. gal (UK) = 7.481 gal (US) = 1,728 Cu.In.
• 1 oz (ounce) = 28.35 g = 437.5 grains = 0.0625 lb = 0.0000279 long ton (UK) = 0.00003125 long ton (US) = 0.000558 long hundredweight (UK) = 0.000625 long hundredweight (US) = 0.004464 stone = 16 dram

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