Protect your personnel, plant and profits with the
world leader in explosion protection technolgy.
Total Concept
Explosion Protection
Fike Corporation provides explo-
sion protection design solutions
based on a hazard analysis of your
specific process.
Fike is the only single source
manufacturer in the world that can
offer a complete range of explo-
sion protection products and
services that include:
1. Explosion Venting
2. Explosion Suppression
3. Explosion Isolation
Call Fike Corporation today at
816-229-3405, to arrange an
analysis of your coal processing,
conveying, and storage system.
Ask for the Power Plant Team.
R explosions over the last ten
704 South 10th Street, Blue Springs, Missouri 64015
CORPORATION
816-229-3405, E-mail bill.copelin@fike.com, Web: www.fike.com
Form No. DM0105 PCIPP
Copyright © 2001, by Fike Corporation
COAL DUST EXPLOSIONS
IN POWER PLANTS...
Where a fraction of a second can dramatically change a plant’s
ability to generate PROFITS.
The Story
In July 1998, an electric generat-
ing plant in North Central United
States experienced a $50,000,000
loss from a coal dust explosion.
The explosion and subsequent fire
heavily damaged this 490-MW
generating station. Coal was
being conveyed to the bunkers of
the 290-MW unit of this two unit
plant. The transfer of coal caused
a coal dust cloud to exist in the
bunker. Upon ignition of the dust
cloud, an explosion occurred in
the bunker. The resulting shock
wave jarred the building and
stirred up additional coal dust,
which also ignited, and resulted in
a larger explosion that damaged
the affected bunker, the adjacent
bunker, and the conveyor. Seven-
teen workers were injured in the
explosion. Both units were out of
service for approximately six
months.
• A third insurer reports a trend What you need
towards larger and more
The History frequent losses in fossil fuel to know about
power plants.
• One insurer reports a loss The number of explosion events coal dust explosions...
history due to coal dust appears to be doubling every 10
years.
years of around $88,000,000. It remains to be seen if this trend
• A second insurer reports that will continue or if risk control INSIDE
explosions are by far the most activities will decrease the num-
expensive loss incidents. ber of large loss events.
Printed in U.S.A.
Explosions are a constant threat at coal-fired power plants.
Understanding
the Hazards:
●
fuel
●
ignition
●
equipment
Fuel
Explosion characteristics may vary
widely due to the specific coal being
used. The following graphs provide
practical comparisons of data collected
through ASTM testing of various
coals.
Ignition
Coal processing, conveyance and
storage typically produce the hazard-
ous conditions. All that is needed to
produce an explosion is a sufficient
source of ignition, which could be
provided by:
• Tramp Metal and Railroad
Spikes fed into the pulverizer
• Pyrites in the pulverizer
• Static Electricity
• Hot Surfaces
• Smoldering nests
Coal Samples used
for comparative testing:
A. Float Dust, South Central Utility
B. Mid-Sulfur, Eastern
C. Low Sulfur, Southern
D. Float Dust, South Eastern Utility
E. Dust Collector, South Eastern Utility
F. Bituminous & Sub-bituminous Blend
G. Float Dust, Midwest Utility
H. Dust Collector, Midwest Utility
I. Northern PRB Mine
Coal Dust Maximum Explosion Pressures
Equipment
A 109
B 108
Power plant equipment most likely
C 112
to experience explosions and require
D 108
Explosion Protection are:
E 106 • Pulverizers
F 107 • Dust Collectors
G 108 • Cyclones
H 114 • Electrostatic Precipitators
I 110 • Storage Bins and Silos
• Transport Pipes and Ducts
Explosion Severity Index
A 89
B 172
C 135
D 119
E 77
F 173
G 148
H 200
I 95
Minimum Auto Ignition Temperatures
A 1125
B 1185
C 1145
D 1165
E 1165
F 1165
G 1135
H 1015
I 1165
Minimum Explosion Concentrations
A 100
B 40
C 60
62
D
E 40
F 60
G 80
H 63
I 55
Explosions are a constant threat at coal-fired power plants.
Understanding
the Hazards:
●
fuel
●
ignition
●
equipment
Fuel
Explosion characteristics may vary
widely due to the specific coal being
used. The following graphs provide
practical comparisons of data collected
through ASTM testing of various
coals.
Ignition
Coal processing, conveyance and
storage typically produce the hazard-
ous conditions. All that is needed to
produce an explosion is a sufficient
source of ignition, which could be
provided by:
• Tramp Metal and Railroad
Spikes fed into the pulverizer
• Pyrites in the pulverizer
• Static Electricity
• Hot Surfaces
• Smoldering nests
Coal Samples used
for comparative testing:
A. Float Dust, South Central Utility
B. Mid-Sulfur, Eastern
C. Low Sulfur, Southern
D. Float Dust, South Eastern Utility
E. Dust Collector, South Eastern Utility
F. Bituminous & Sub-bituminous Blend
G. Float Dust, Midwest Utility
H. Dust Collector, Midwest Utility
I. Northern PRB Mine
Coal Dust Maximum Explosion Pressures
Equipment
A 109
B 108
Power plant equipment most likely
C 112
to experience explosions and require
D 108
Explosion Protection are:
E 106 • Pulverizers
F 107 • Dust Collectors
G 108 • Cyclones
H 114 • Electrostatic Precipitators
I 110 • Storage Bins and Silos
• Transport Pipes and Ducts
Explosion Severity Index
A 89
B 172
C 135
D 119
E 77
F 173
G 148
H 200
I 95
Minimum Auto Ignition Temperatures
A 1125
B 1185
C 1145
D 1165
E 1165
F 1165
G 1135
H 1015
I 1165
Minimum Explosion Concentrations
A 100
B 40
C 60
62
D
E 40
F 60
G 80
H 63
I 55
Protect your personnel, plant and profits with the
world leader in explosion protection technolgy.
Total Concept
Explosion Protection
Fike Corporation provides explo-
sion protection design solutions
based on a hazard analysis of your
specific process.
Fike is the only single source
manufacturer in the world that can
offer a complete range of explo-
sion protection products and
services that include:
1. Explosion Venting
2. Explosion Suppression
3. Explosion Isolation
Call Fike Corporation today at
816-229-3405, to arrange an
analysis of your coal processing,
conveying, and storage system.
Ask for the Power Plant Team.
R explosions over the last ten
704 South 10th Street, Blue Springs, Missouri 64015
CORPORATION
816-229-3405, E-mail bill.copelin@fike.com, Web: www.fike.com
Form No. DM0105 PCIPP
Copyright © 2001, by Fike Corporation
COAL DUST EXPLOSIONS
IN POWER PLANTS...
Where a fraction of a second can dramatically change a plant’s
ability to generate PROFITS.
The Story
In July 1998, an electric generat-
ing plant in North Central United
States experienced a $50,000,000
loss from a coal dust explosion.
The explosion and subsequent fire
heavily damaged this 490-MW
generating station. Coal was
being conveyed to the bunkers of
the 290-MW unit of this two unit
plant. The transfer of coal caused
a coal dust cloud to exist in the
bunker. Upon ignition of the dust
cloud, an explosion occurred in
the bunker. The resulting shock
wave jarred the building and
stirred up additional coal dust,
which also ignited, and resulted in
a larger explosion that damaged
the affected bunker, the adjacent
bunker, and the conveyor. Seven-
teen workers were injured in the
explosion. Both units were out of
service for approximately six
months.
• A third insurer reports a trend What you need
towards larger and more
The History frequent losses in fossil fuel to know about
power plants.
• One insurer reports a loss The number of explosion events coal dust explosions...
history due to coal dust appears to be doubling every 10
years.
years of around $88,000,000. It remains to be seen if this trend
• A second insurer reports that will continue or if risk control INSIDE
explosions are by far the most activities will decrease the num-
expensive loss incidents. ber of large loss events.
Printed in U.S.A.