ASTM E1515-07
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Minimum Explosible Concentration of Combustible Dusts
Standard Test Method for Minimum Explosible Concentration of Combustible Dusts
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the minimum concentration of a dust-air mixture that will propagate a deflagration in a near-spherical closed vessel of 20 L or greater volume.Note 1
The minimum explosible concentration (MEC) is also referred to as the lower explosibility limit (LEL) or lean flammability limit (LFL).
1.2 Data obtained from this test method provide a relative measure of the deflagration characteristics of dust clouds.
1.3 This test method should be used to measure and describe the properties of materials in response to heat and flame under controlled laboratory conditions and should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However, results of this test may be used as elements of a fire risk assessment that takes into account all of the factors that are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end use.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 8 .
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Designation:E1515 −07
StandardTest Method for
1
Minimum Explosible Concentration of Combustible Dusts
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1515; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This test method describes procedures for measuring the minimum concentration of a combustible
dust (dispersed in air) that is capable of propagating a deflagration. The tests are made in laboratory
chambers that have volumes of 20 L or larger.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the mini- 2.1 ASTM Standards:
mum concentration of a dust-air mixture that will propagate a D3173 Test Method for Moisture in the Analysis Sample of
deflagration in a near-spherical closed vessel of 20 Lor greater Coal and Coke
volume. D3175 Test Method for Volatile Matter in the Analysis
Sample of Coal and Coke
NOTE 1—The minimum explosible concentration (MEC) is also re-
E681 Test Method for Concentration Limits of Flammability
ferred to as the lower explosibility limit (LEL) or lean flammability limit
of Chemicals (Vapors and Gases)
(LFL).
E1226 Test Method for Explosibility of Dust Clouds
1.2 Data obtained from this test method provide a relative
measure of the deflagration characteristics of dust clouds.
3. Terminology
1.3 Thistestmethodshouldbeusedtomeasureanddescribe
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
the properties of materials in response to heat and flame under
3.1.1 dust concentration, n—the mass of dust divided by the
controlled laboratory conditions and should not be used to
internal volume of the test chamber.
describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of materials,
3.1.2 (dP/dt) ,n—themaximumrateofpressureriseduring
ex
products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However,
the course of a single deflagration test.
results of this test may be used as elements of a fire risk
3.1.3 minimum explosible concentration (MEC), n—the
assessment that takes into account all of the factors that are
minimum concentration of a combustible dust cloud that is
pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end
capable of propagating a deflagration through a well dispersed
use.
mixture of the dust and air under the specified conditions of
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
test.
standard.
3.1.4 P ,n—the absolute pressure at the time the
ignition
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
ignitor is activated, see Fig. 1.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.5 ∆P ,n—the pressure rise in the chamber due to
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- ignitor
the ignitor by itself in air at atmospheric pressure
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau-
3.1.6 P ,n—the maximum explosion pressure (absolute)
ex,a
tionary statements are given in Section 8.
reachedduringthecourseofasingledeflagrationtest(seeFigs.
1 and 2).
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E27 on Hazard
Potential of Chemicals and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E27.05 on
2
Explosibility and Ignitability of Dust Clouds. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2007. Published November 2007. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as E1515 – 03a. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/E1515-07. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1515−07
FIG. 1Typical Recorder Tracings for a Weak Dust Deflagration in a 20-L Chamber, using a 2500 J Ignitor
FIG. 2Typical Recorder Tracings for a Moderate Dust Deflagration in a 20-L Chamber, using a 2500 J Ignitor
3.1.7 pressure ratio (PR), n—defined as PR=(P 5.2 The MEC as measured by this test method provides a
ex,
a−∆P )/P .
relative measure of the concentration of a dust cloud necessary
ignitor ignition
for an explosion.
4. Summary of Test Method
5.3 Since the MEC as measured by this test method may
4.1 Adust cloud is formed in a closed combustion chamber
vary with the uniformity of the dust dispersion, energy of the
by an introduction of the material with air.The test is normally
ignitor, and propagation criteria, the MEC should be consid-
made at atmospheric pressure
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:E1515–03a Designation: E 1515 – 07
Standard Test Method for
1
Minimum Explosible Concentration of Combustible Dusts
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1515; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This test method describes procedures for measuring the minimum concentration of a combustible
dust (dispersed in air) that is capable of propagating a deflagration. The tests are made in laboratory
chambers that have volumes of 20 L or larger.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the minimum concentration of a dust-air mixture that will propagate a
deflagration in a near-spherical closed vessel of 20 L or greater volume.
NOTE 1—The minimum explosible concentration (MEC) is also referred to as the lower explosibility limit (LEL) or lean flammability limit (LFL).
1.2 Data obtained from this test method provide a relative measure of the deflagration characteristics of dust clouds.
1.3 This test method should be used to measure and describe the properties of materials in response to heat and flame under
controlled laboratory conditions and should not be used to describe or appraise the fire hazard or fire risk of materials, products,
or assemblies under actual fire conditions. However, results of this test may be used as elements of a fire risk assessment that takes
into account all of the factors that are pertinent to an assessment of the fire hazard of a particular end use.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 8.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 3173 Test Method for Moisture in the Analysis Sample of Coal and Coke
D 3175 Test Method for Volatile Matter in the Analysis Sample of Coal and Coke
E 681 Test Method for Concentration Limits of Flammability of Chemicals (Vapors and Gases)
E 1226 Test Method for Pressure and Rate of Pressure Rise for Combustible Dusts
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 dust concentration, n—the mass of dust divided by the internal volume of the test chamber.
3.1.2 (dP/dt) , n—the maximum rate of pressure rise during the course of a single deflagration test.
ex
3.1.3 minimum explosible concentration (MEC), n—the minimum concentration of a combustible dust cloud that is capable of
propagating a deflagration through a well dispersed mixture of the dust and air under the specified conditions of test.
3.1.4 P , n—the absolute pressure at the time the ignitor is activated, see Fig. 1.
ignition
3.1.5 DP , n—the pressure rise in the chamber due to the ignitor by itself in air at atmospheric pressure
ignitor
3.1.6 P , n—the maximum explosion pressure (absolute) reached during the course of a single deflagration test (see Figs. 1
ex,a
and 2).
3.1.7 pressure ratio (PR), n—defined asPR=(P −DP )/P .
ex,a ignitor ignition
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E27 on Hazard Potential of Chemicals and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E27.05 on
Explosibility and Ignitability of Dust Clouds.
Current edition approved Dec.Oct. 1, 2003.2007. Published January 2004. Originallyapproved November 2007 . Originally approved in 1993. Last previous edition
approved in 2003 as E 1515 – 03a.
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 05.05.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book ofASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E1515–07
FIG. 1 Typical Recorder Tracings for a Weak Dust Deflagration in a 20-L Chamber, using a 2500 J Ignitor
FIG. 2 Typical Recorder Tracings for a Moderate Dust Deflagration in a 20-L Chamber, using a 2500 J Ignitor
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Adustcloudisformedinaclosedcombustioncham
...
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