Explosive characteristics of nanometer and micrometer aluminum-powder

Abstract

The explosive characteristics of aluminum powder have great significance in preventing and controlling aluminum-dust explosion accidents, especially the nano-aluminum powder. The explosion characteristics of 100 nm and 75 μm aluminum powders were investigated by using a 20 L spherical explosion cavity and a horizontal pipe whose cross-section area is 80 mm × 80 mm and length is 8 m. The results show that the maximum explosion pressure and its rising rate of 100 nm aluminum powder gradually increase with increasing concentration of aluminum-powder at the beginning. When aluminum-powder concentration is 1 kg/m³, the maximum explosion pressure reaches its maximum, and then gradually decreases. While when the concentration is 1.25 kg/m³, the maximum rate of pressure rise obtains its maximum, and then decreases. After 100 nm aluminum powder is exploded in pipes, the peak overpressure of blast wave first decreases and then increases to the maximum at a distance of 298 cm from the ignition source, and then gradually decreases. The most violent concentration is about 0.4 kg/m³ which is lower than 0.8 kg/m³ of 75 μm aluminum powder, so 100 nm aluminum powders are more easily exploded. The change laws of maximum explosion pressure, maximum rate of pressure rise and blast-wave peak overpressure of 100 nm aluminum powders with concentration are similar to those of 75 μm aluminum powders, but these values are much higher than 75 μm aluminum powders under the same concentration, so the aluminum-powders explosion of 100 nm will produce more harms. In the process of production, storage and transportation of aluminum powder, some relevant preventive measures can be taken to reduce the loss caused by aluminum-dust explosion according to nano-aluminum dust.