What is BS EN 15188 about?
BS EN 15188 specifies procedures for analysing and evaluating self-ignition temperatures (TSI) of combustible dust or granular materials as a function of volume by hot storage experiments in ovens of constant temperature.
The test method specified by BS EN 15188 applies to any solid material for which the thermal explosion theory according to A.2 holds (i.e., not limited to only oxidatively unstable materials).
BS EN 15188 specifies test methods that are applicable for any dust or granular material that reacts primarily with oxygen from the air. For safety reasons, this test is not used with materials mixed with solid/liquid oxidants (e.g., gunpowder, thermites, wood impregnated with liquid oxygen) or materials that could undergo violently non-oxidative reactions (e.g., peroxides, explosives).
Note: BS EN 15188 is not applicable to the ignition of dust layers or bulk solids under aerated conditions (e.g., as in fluid bed dryer).
Who is BS EN 15188 for?
BS EN 15188 on spontaneous ignition of dust accumulations is relevant to:
- Petrochemical industry
- Automotive industry
- Researchers and scientists
- Chemical engineers
Why should you use BS EN 15188?
The self-ignition behaviour of dust and granular materials and their mixtures depends on the chemical composition as well as on related substance and bulk properties. It also depends on the size and geometry of the body of material, and, last but not least on the ambient temperature.
The experimental basis in BS EN 15188 for describing the self-ignition behaviour of a given dust or granular material is the determination of the TSI of differently sized bulk volumes by isoperibolic hot storage experiments (storage at constant oven temperatures) in commercially available ovens. The results thus measured reflect the dependence of self-ignition temperatures upon volume of the accumulation.
BS EN 15188 discusses the different evaluation procedures that allow interpolation and extrapolation, to characterize the self-ignition behaviour of deposits of a different scale and of different bulk geometric shapes.
Moreover, installation of a mesh wire screen into the oven as per BS EN 15188 guidelines seeks to minimise the spread of results.
The analysis and evaluation procedures specified by BS EN 15188 will help you prevent self-igniting of the accumulated dust to result in fires which could eliminate risks of dust explosion.
