Cone-calorimeter tests of rice dusts explosiveness [Prove al cono-calorimetro di esplosività delle polveri di riso]

The aim of this work is the characterization by means of cone-calorimeter tests of rice dust explosiveness, determining the ignition temperature of a 5 mm thick layer, T5 mm, in order to define the critical temperature range for industrial processes management where such materials are involved, granting at the same time plant safety and efficiency. The variability in material behavior, along seasons and/or production process phases, requires an expeditious evaluation of explosiveness conditions, especially regarding the minimum ignition energy and temperature. For dust layers explosiveness, the minimum ignition temperature was obtained by cone-calorimeter samples lab tests and through the correlation with the heat release rate (HRR), a parameter measured by the test equipment in accordance with the international technical standards. To achieve such a result, a test campaign on dust created by rice bran were then compared with existing experimental literature data.