Explosion Suppression of Combustible Polymer Dust in the Fabric Filter

Abstract

Combustible dust explosions are a risk in any industry that produces dust particles as a final 
product or as waste. Most organic substances can ignite dust particles with a subsequent explosion, together 
with a large amount of metal dust, if they accumulate. There is the possibility of dust particles being swirled 
simultaneously with possible initiation. Fabric filters operate as one of the possible variants of dust 
accumulation. A large amount of dust is concentrated in them in a swirled and settled state. In the case of 
initiation, e.g., by hot sparks, e.g., welding, cutting, electric sparks arising from the action of static 
electricity, overload, or short circuit, it may ignite with a subsequent explosion. However, to eliminate the 
risk of fabric filter explosion, it is possible to use the method of tertiary anti-explosion protection, explosion 
suppression. This method has been used successfully for many years. The principle is elementary. During 
the explosion, a vent opens on the surface or side of the vessel. Thus, the explosion pressure inside the 
container is reduced without damaging it (Snoeys et al., 2012).The article provides instructions for 
calculating the relief surface of the fabric filter using the European standard EN 14991. The results of the 
fire explosion parameters of the dust in the fabric filter are also part of the article.