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May 2020 / 37 ignition to the lowest energy value at which material ignition occurs. Any material change, whether it's in chemical com- position, particle size, or moisture content, can have an adverse effect on the explosion control measures origi- nally designed into an EPP system. The consequences of handling a material with a higher K St than for what the system was originally designed, for instance, could mean an uncontrolled explosion if an event were to happen. Additionally, material changes can bring with them different bulk resistivity and charge relaxation character- istics, which can lead to an increased risk of electrostatic charge accumulation. This accumulation could, in turn, result in an uncontrolled static discharge with enough ignition energy to cause an explosion. Even a change in speci c material suppliers warrants a review to deter- mine if the material characteristics differ from what the original EPP system was designed to accommodate. Changes to process operating conditions. Any modi cation to the operating air ow, temperature, or pressure can also impact explosion protection mea- sures. For example, explosion isolation barriers often are determined based on a combination of factors including air ow. Increased air ow velocity may mean that an isolation barrier is too close to the protected vessel to prevent ame propagation under an explo- sion condition. Increased operating temperature may mean that instead of a standard temperature detector, a high-temperature explosion detector is necessary. Modi cations to operating pressure could mean that changes to explosion detection styles or settings are warranted or that explosion vents have an increased risk of either being pulled in or prematurely failing. logue with the EPP system supplier or working with a quali ed third party in the explosion protection eld. Changes in material being processed. EPP systems are designed to operate based on speci c factors such as: a material's explosivity characteristics (K St and P max ), which respectively refer to a material's rate of explosion pressure development during a dust explosion and the maximum achievable pressure generated during a dust explosion event; autoignition temperature (AIT), which is a material's kindling point in a normal atmosphere without an external ignition; and minimum ignition energy (MIE), which is a material's range from no Dust collector explosion suppression and isolation units are designed for speci c conditions. When making any process changes, be sure to consider the process as a whole to ensure the effectiveness of your explosion safety systems. 513-231-7432 • ingredientmasters.com Cincinnati, OH • sales@ingredientmasters.com From small systems to very large, automated systems...we know dry bulk batching. • Reduce labor and material costs • Improve batch consistency • Minimize injury risks • Eliminate product and packaging waste Custom engineering with "o-the-shelf " components means 20-35% lower cost than same-spec systems! Learn More. Call 513-231-7432 today. Reduce Labor For Your Batching Operation!