The combustion of dust in air is most commonly categorized as which type of explosion?

The combustion of dust in air is most commonly categorized as which type of explosion?

• A. Deflagration
• B. Detonation
• C. Flash fire
• D. Fireball

Answer: (A)

The combustion of dust in air is categorized as a deflagration because it involves a rapid, subsonic combustion process that occurs when particulates of combustible dust ignite and propagate through an air mixture. In a deflagration, the combustion wave travels through the medium at a speed slower than the speed of sound. Dust deflagration occurs when dust accumulates to a critical concentration in a confined space, and a spark or heat source ignites it. The resulting explosion produces pressure waves and can lead to significant damage, but the speed of the combustion front is not as fast or violent as in a detonation. In comparison, detonation refers to an explosive reaction where the combustion front travels at supersonic speeds, which is not characteristic of typical dust explosions in air. Flash fires involve rapid combustion, but they do not create the same pressure waves or explosive characteristics as deflagrations. Fireballs involve a visible, rapidly expanding fire, but they are typically associated with liquid fuels igniting in a large, confined explosion rather than dust. Thus, deflagration is the correct classification for the combustion of dust in air.

The combustion of dust in air is categorized as a deflagration because it involves a rapid, subsonic combustion process that occurs when particulates of combustible dust ignite and propagate through an air mixture. In a deflagration, the combustion wave travels through the medium at a speed slower than the speed of sound.

Dust deflagration occurs when dust accumulates to a critical concentration in a confined space, and a spark or heat source ignites it. The resulting explosion produces pressure waves and can lead to significant damage, but the speed of the combustion front is not as fast or violent as in a detonation.

In comparison, detonation refers to an explosive reaction where the combustion front travels at supersonic speeds, which is not characteristic of typical dust explosions in air. Flash fires involve rapid combustion, but they do not create the same pressure waves or explosive characteristics as deflagrations. Fireballs involve a visible, rapidly expanding fire, but they are typically associated with liquid fuels igniting in a large, confined explosion rather than dust. Thus, deflagration is the correct classification for the combustion of dust in air.