Coal Dust Explosion Prevention and Protection Based on Inherent Safety

Abstract

In order of dust explosion prevention and protection, a dust explosion control framework was proposed based on four basic principles of inherent safety. The required conditions and consequents of dust explosion were considered in the framework. It was found that standards and procedures of non- electric apparatus for explosive atmospheres should be established currently in China. The thinking of multi-layer protection should be considered when taking engineered technical measures to control the dust explosion, and the measures must withstand experimental tests. The inherent safety of workers was very important for implements of explosion-proof standards or engineered technical measures. The feedback control mechanism, especially positive feedback, was very important to decrease human unsafe behaviors, and to increase the inherent safety of workers. The case study was shown the principles of inherent safety would be of value to combustible powder process industry as a guideline to making dust explosion risk reduction measures.