An explosive powder

The enterprise uses the traditional process for obtaining aluminum powder – dispersing liquid aluminum by hot nitrogen followed by division by various fractions in vibration sifters and vortex centrifugal classifiers.

The final product – the aluminum powder, possesses increased combustion and explosive properties.

According to GCE experts, explosions and fires, involving aluminum powder, are possible with explosive concentrations of air-powder clouds. “Such clouds could explode on contact with acid, spirits, and even with moisture, contained in the air”, - says Alexander Moskalenko, Head of the GCE Group’s Department of Risk Analysis.  

According to GCE experts, such incidents (probably of a lesser scale) are not rare at the enterprises, where aluminum powder is in use.

At the same time, the experts don’t exclude other causes of primary explosion associated with auxiliary production processes. For example, a fuel gas explosion as the result of gas piping loss of integrity could occur.

An investigation commission will determine real cause of the accident, - note GCE Group representatives.

“One must note that aluminum powder, stored in the shop, could act as a catalyst for the spread of fire. Fire suppression for this type of fire presents significant challenges due to high intensity of aluminum combustion and inability to use water as a fire suppression agent”, explains Alexander Moskalenko, Head of the GCE Group of companies Risk Analysis Department.

Alexander Moskalenko, GCE Group President thinks that inspections at the local level due to the fact of fire at the SUAL-PM enterprise won’t be avoided, but the case will not lead to large-scale nationwide inspections.

“Fire Safety Agency” (FSA is part of GCE Group) experts cited several key safety requirements when storing and producing aluminum powder.

“The production facilities must prevent the possibility of sparking, one must not use electrical equipment without explosion proof protection, moisture and humidity in production and storage areas is prohibited, - lists the requirements Marat Ivanov, FSA Director. In addition, systems of aluminum dust removal at transfer and transportation units must be used”.

Background note: GCE Group is one of the world market leaders in the area of industrial and fire safety, ecology and work area safety services. In Russia, the GCE Group’s Division for Technical Consulting is represented by five companies and subsidiaries in large industrial and financial hubs. GCE Group of companies clients are industrial leaders as Ford, Enel, British Petroleum, Gazprom, RUSAL, SIBUR, Transneft, INTER RSC UES, and many others.
                                   
GCE Group of companies website: www.gce.ru