Physical Ignition Processes Tasks

An explosive atmosphere can be ignited by different ignition sources. Working Group 3.73 has studied in detail:

• hot surfaces
• electrostatic discharges
• mechanical impact and friction sparks
• optical radiation

Optical radiation as in ignition source in potentially explosive atmospheres: Opticasl ignition of an explosion in the test vessel (click on picture to enlarge, 28 kB)

Apart from carrying out basic research in the field of these ignition sources, Working Group 3.73 concentrates on testing of equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. This work comprises:

• Electrostatic spraying equipment of equipment category 2

  Ignition test of a electrostatic hand-held spray gun for spray coating

• Mechanical equipment and safety devices of equipment category 1

Agitator of category 1

Further services are:

• Consultancy services and experts' advisory services in the fields of explosion protection
• Investigations and assessment to prevent ignition hazards due to physical ignition sources
• Investigation of accident sources
• Measurement of:
  • Electrical surface and leakage resistances
  • Transmitted charge during electrostatic discharges
  • Surface temperatures
• Investigation of minimum ignition energy

Determination of the ignitability of coating powders in the Hartmann tube (click on picture to enlarge, 87 kB)

These services are based on theoretical and experimental investigations, research and development work, and co-operation in national and international standardization committees.

Recent scientific results and other publications

• M. Beyer
  Ignition hazard assessment on explosion-protected non-electrical equipment

• M. Beyer
  Well-defined exclusion criteria for mechanically generated ignition sources (german version only)

• M. Hau, M. Beyer
  Investigastion of the ignition capability of hot surfaces in narrow circular gaps

• M. Beyer
  Mechanical ignition hazards in potentially explosive gas and dust atmospheres (MECHEX)

• T. Ott, M. Beyer
  Simulation of mechanically generated ignition sources (german version only)

• U. v. Pidoll
  Determining the incendivity of electrostatic discharges without explosive gas mixtures

• U. v. Pidoll
  explosion protection on flocking machines (german version only)

• S. Schenk
  Optical radiation as in ignition source in potentially explosive atmospheres

Contact

>

Head of working group		Dr.-Ing. Michael Beyer Tel.: 0531-592-3700 E-Mail: Michael Beyer
Office		Carola Lotz-Förster Tel.: 0531-592-3701 Fax: 0531-592-3705 E-Mail: Carola Lotz-Förster
Adress		Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt Working Group 3.73 Bundesallee 100 38116 Braunschweig