Pyrolysis Characteristic and Ignition Energy of High-Density Polyethylene Powder

Abstract

-The aim of this work is to provide new experimental data on the pyrolysis characteristics and the minimum ignition energy (MIE) by using the same high-density polyethylene (HDPE) powder in domestic HDPE dust explosion accident. To evaluate the explosion sensitivity of HDPE, thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and MIE apparatus (MIKE-3, Kühner) was conducted. The measurements showed the volume median diameter of 61.6 μm but the particle number density of 98 % in the range 0.4~4 μm. The ignition temperature from the results of TGA and DSC in HDPE dust layers was observed in the range of 380~490 ℃. MIE was measured under 1 mJ in the HDPE dust concentration of 1200~1800 g/m 3 , it was found that the ratio of particle number density in the range 0.4~4 μm was very high (98%).