Explosion Parameters of Cellulose Based Materials

The main component of wood is cellulose. Cellulose is a plant polysaccharide that forms wood with other substances (lignin, hemicellulose). Wood can be considered a combustible substance and each of its components is flammable. Cellulose has multiple uses, e.g. as paper, in the form of derivatives as a filler in pharmaceuticals or in the food industry. In industry, it is therefore necessary to know their fire parameters, especially regarding the possibility of explosion or fire. Dispersed cellulose and its derivatives have various explosion parameters. This article deals with the study and comparison of explosion parameters of different types (microcrystalline) and cellulose derivatives (Hypromellose) samples. The lower explosive limit of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was 500 g.m−3 and Hypromellose (HPMC) 125 g.m−3. The maximum explosion pressure of the samples was 5,624 bar (MCC) and 7,441 bar (HPMC). The explosion constant, Kst, of the samples was 26,65 bar.m.s−1 (MCC) and 122,19 bar.m.s−1 (HPMC). Therefore, when cellulose based materials are used, stored, handled or transported, it is necessary to know their explosion parameters to design effective explosion prevention measures.