Explosion and Flame Propagation Properties of Coarse Wood : Raw and Torrefied

Andrews, GE
Saeed, MA
Phylaktou, HN
Gibbs, BM
Walton, R
Niedzweicki, L

Publication date

April 2016

Publisher

University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) Press

Abstract

A current production torrefaction process was used and the explosion and flame propagation properties were determined at the particle size of the raw (spruce, pine and fir – SPF) and torrefied biomass. The biomass material as received was sieved to <1mm. Size analysis showed that 10% by mass was <100µm and the torrefied sample had 25% <100µm. The CV for the torrefied biomass was 10% greater than that for the raw biomass. The ISO 1 m3 dust explosion vessel was used, with a modified and calibrated biomass dispersion system that could cope with very coarse particles. The explosions did not burn all the dust that was present at the start of the explosion and the residual unburnt dust was shown to be the original dust. The equivalence ratio, Ø, ...