What does "Kst" measure in the context of explosion hazards?

"Kst" is an important parameter used in evaluating the explosion severity of flammable dusts in the context of explosion hazards. Specifically, Kst measures the maximum rate of pressure rise during a dust explosion in a vessel. This value is derived from controlled tests that assess how rapidly a dust cloud can release energy and cause a pressure shock wave when ignited.

Understanding Kst is crucial for safety assessments in facilities handling combustible dust, as it helps predict the potential consequences of an explosion. A higher Kst value indicates a more severe explosion risk, necessitating appropriate safety measures.

Other options pertain to different concepts in explosion and combustion studies. For instance, the maximum rate of temperature increase relates to thermal hazards, while minimum ignition energy specifically refers to the energy required to ignite a dust cloud. The average particle size may influence how dust behaves in an explosion but does not measure explosive intensity itself. Thus, the relevance of Kst specifically to pressure rise during dust explosions underscores why the answer is focused on this aspect.