Dust Explosions in the Process Industries

Level of Study

Master

Teaching semester

Spring.

Unless otherwise agreed with the Study Section or the course coordinator, it is compulsory to attend the first lecture/orientation meeting. The course will only be offered if at least three students are registered.

Place of Instruction

Bergen

Objectives and Content

Objectives The course provides an overview of the state-of-the-art in research on dust explosions. The lectures emphasise physical phenomena and principles for risk-reducing measures.

Content

The course describes ignition and combustion properties of powders and dusts, methods for prevention and control of dust explosions, lessons learnt from accidental dust explosions as well as methods for testing the ignition, combustion and explosion properties of dust layers and dust clouds.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student is able to:

• describe the formation of flammable dust clouds
• discuss physical phenomena related to the particle-laden flow in dust clouds
• describe ignition and combustion phenomena in dust layers
• describe ignition and combustion phenomena in dust clouds
• discuss the mechanisms for flame propagation for various types of dust
• categorise methods for prevention and mitigation of dust explosions
• discuss the chain of events and lessons learnt form relevant dust explosions accidents
• explain the principles for risk analysis, risk assessment and risk management for industrial facilities where dust explosions represent a hazard

Skills

The student is able to:

• explain the methods for testing ignition, combustion and explosion properties of dust samples
• discuss relevant means of explosion protection for a given industrial facility
• give examples of past accidents for various industries
• conduct a literature survey on selected aspects of dust explosions
• give an oral presentation of the literature survey

General competence

The student is able to:

• identify relevant dust explosions hazards for a given system
• propose suitable risk-reducing measures for a given system
• combine various principles for explosion protection for a given system

Required Previous Knowledge

PTEK250, PTEK252

Recommended Previous Knowledge

PTEK241 (can be taken in parallel), PTEK251 (can be taken in parallel)

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

None

Access to the Course

Access to the course requires admission to a Master or PhD program at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

Teaching and learning methods

The teaching entails self-study, seminars, and a mandatory literature survey.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

Obligatorisk litteraturstudium, minst 10 sider inkludert tittelside og referansar, og godkjent godkjend presentasjo presentasjon av litteraturstudium.

Compulsor assignments are valid for two subsequent semestes.

Forms of Assessment

Oral exam, constitutes 100 % of the total grade.

Examination Support Material

None

Grading Scale

The grading scale used is A to F.

Assessment Semester

Examination only in the spring semester.

Reading List

The reading list will be available within 1 January for the spring semester.

Course Evaluation

The course will be evaluated by the students in accordance with the quality control system at UiB and the department.

Programme Committee

The Programme Committee is responsible for the content, structure and quality of the programme and courses.

Course Coordinator

Contact information for the course coordinator is available at "Mitt UiB", alternatively contact the student advisor.

Course Administrator

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and Department of Physics and Technology are dministratively responsible for the course.