Influence of inlet duct turning on dust-collector explosion

A 12-L dust-explosion model was designed to conduct a corn-starch explosion experiment to investigate the influence of the turning structure of the inlet duct on the dust-explosion propagation process. The development in the dust explosion in the dust collector and the propagation process of the explosive flame in the inlet duct were examined. Additionally, the influence of the turning distance of the inlet duct on the dust-collector explosion was analyzed. By changing the distance from the turning position of the inlet duct to the dust collector, the distance had a negative correlation with the maximum explosion pressure of dust in the vessel and a positive correlation with the explosion duration. The pressure curve in the duct exhibited a bimodal structure, and the secondary explosion phenomenon was relatively pronounced in the middle of the turning inlet duct. Owing to the obstruction of the turning inlet duct, the decay rate of the explosion pressure decreased before turning and increased after turning. In addition, with an increase in the turning distance, the decay rate of the explosion pressure in the duct decreased, whereas the secondary explosion in the duct became more intense. •The explosion duration is positively correlated with the turning distance.•Average rate of pressure rise is negatively correlated with the turning distance.•The decay rate of pressure decreases before turning, while increases after turning.•The secondary explosion is relatively pronounced in the middle of the turning duct.•The secondary explosion intensity increases with increasing turning distance.