Can citric acid really form a dust explosion hazard?
Can citric acid really form a dust explosion hazard?
(OP)
I've just read an MSDS which says that citric acid (anhydrous) can form a dust explosion hazard. How true is this? The same goes for sodium methoxide..





RE: Can citric acid really form a dust explosion hazard?
Nearly all organic dust has the potential, given the right conditions, to explode.
RE: Can citric acid really form a dust explosion hazard?
RE: Can citric acid really form a dust explosion hazard?
In addition to the necessary conditions for explosions involving dusts as explained above, Crowl and Louvar (Chemical Process Safety: Fundamentals with Applications-Prentice Hall) say: Quoting Lees (Loss Prevention in the Process Industries), they also say
RE: Can citric acid really form a dust explosion hazard?
There's lots of good info on dust explosions in corn silos in the US.
Deflagrations always occur first (unless you start it with an explosive) but they can change to a detonation eg in long ducts. Either will kill you.
There are lots of good ways to deal with dust hazards, but is all starts with getting the process right and good housekeeping to minimise the dust and its escape.
Stuart
RE: Can citric acid really form a dust explosion hazard?
Physical Dangers
Dust explosion possible if in powder or granular form, mixed
with air.
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/products/icsc/dtasht/_icsc08/icsc0855.pdf
It seems likely.
RE: Can citric acid really form a dust explosion hazard?
It is not as worrisome as say corn starches or corn dust, but still must be considered.
You shouldn't need intrinsically safe wiring in the dry process area. It is a good idea, though, to slightly pressurize the electrical cabinets as the dust can cause havoc on the terminal strips and connections inside.
RE: Can citric acid really form a dust explosion hazard?
We have had incidents with an organic acid and a polymer monomer having a blue halo for a couple of seconds. All incidents were on brick walls where the dust has accumulated on the little ledge where the motor was pointed.