Evaluating the explosion estimated to have occurred due to dust compaction in the Toprak Mahsulleri Ofisi's silo in Kocaeli Derince, Occupational Safety expert Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl stated, “Although these explosions are rarely seen, flour, sugar, feed, cocoa, and textile dusts can create serious explosions.” Drawing attention to the necessity of taking the required precautions in such warehouses, Bingöl emphasized the importance of the wetting technique for dusts, ventilation, and the collection and cleaning of accumulated dusts.
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences Vice Dean, Occupational Safety Expert Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl, made evaluations regarding the explosion that occurred at the Kocaeli Toprak Mahsulleri Ofisi.
“We are facing a Flammable Dust explosion”
An explosion occurred in the silo of the Toprak Mahsulleri Ofisi in Kocaeli Derince, injuring 12 people. Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, making evaluations regarding the explosion, said, “Every flammable substance can create an explosion risk when the necessary conditions are met. Vapors of flammable liquids, flammable gases, and flammable dusts, when they form specific concentrations with oxygen in the air and meet an ignition source, lead to what we call an EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERE, or briefly, ATEX (Explosive Atmosphere) explosions. That is, we sometimes witness these types of explosions when an explosive atmosphere meets any spark or igniter. The image here also creates such an impression for us. Therefore, I can say that we are facing a situation we call a flammable dust explosion. Here, it is necessary to use the terminology correctly. It would not be correct to describe it as dust compaction. Dusts do not compact, or even if they did, they cannot have explosive properties. Accumulated layers of flammable dusts can burn, and can cause fires, but they do not explode. The effects of accumulated dusts in a Flammable Dust explosion, after the initial explosion resulting from the concentration created by airborne dusts; accumulated layer dusts become airborne, causing secondary explosions and a domino effect.”
Bingöl stated that the explosion was relatively severe, but added, “However, we can say that it was not as severe compared to an explosive substance like dynamite. That is, dynamite would explode perhaps 500 times more powerfully than this explosion. The destructive effect would be much greater. These types of explosions occur with approximately 10 bar pressure. We encounter the same type of explosions when flammable liquid vapors and flammable gases accumulate and meet oxygen in the air.”
Necessary precautions must be taken…
Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl, drawing attention to the necessity of taking precautions in risky warehouses, said, “Similarly, it is called natural gas compaction, but natural gas does not actually compact. Natural gas accumulates, and when it accumulates, it creates such an environment. We call this an explosive atmosphere. These are also incidents we sometimes see with flammable liquids, like gasoline vapors. That is, sugar dust, flour dust exist in the literature. Although these explosions are rarely seen, cocoa dust, textile dusts can create serious explosions in this way. He says it's like an earthquake because the quantity is so large that the intensity of the explosion appears to be somewhat greater. If the explosion had occurred in a smaller warehouse, it might not have been this intense. Therefore, in such warehouses, when loading, unloading, or discharging, and sometimes in feed factories or flour mills, the necessary precautions must have been taken.”
Ventilation is a serious precaution!
Underlining that the wetting technique for dusts is an important precaution, Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl said, “Since we do not encounter dust explosions very often, there can be a situation of greater carelessness compared to others, which we can call neglect. Of course, I cannot say much for wheat and grains regarding the precautions that can be taken here, but generally, the wetting technique is applied to dusts. In particular, the dust on the ground should not rise into the air and remain suspended. Because when it remains suspended, even for 3-5 seconds, it forms a concentration with oxygen in the air. Against these types of explosion risks, explosion relief vents that reduce the pressure in the explosion should also be used in warehouses to mitigate the effects of a potential explosion.”
Stating that accumulated dust in layers on the ground does not pose much risk, Bingöl concluded his words as follows:
“Therefore, the wetting technique can be applied. Ventilation, on the other hand, is a serious precaution. Especially during loading and unloading, measures can be taken to prevent the formation of very dense dust in bulk. After discharging a part, one can wait a little for the airborne dust to settle before continuing to discharge, and some measures such as frequent cleaning of accumulated dusts can be taken. It seems that some precautions have been overlooked here.”
Was hot weather effective in the explosion?
Dr. Bingöl, drawing attention to the fact that it is also being questioned whether hot weather had an effect on the explosion, said, “Hot weather is not very effective in this explosion; the ignition temperatures of flammable materials are above 130 degrees Celsius. In fact, many flammable substances ignite above 200-300 degrees. However, there are 13 different ignition sources mentioned in the literature, and these ignition sources can generate very high temperatures and are capable of initiating an explosion. Such as open flames, electrical equipment, mechanical sparks, electromagnetic frequencies including cell phones, and even one of the most important, static electricity. Therefore, in places where there is a possibility of ATEX or, in other words, an explosive atmosphere, serious precautions must be taken for all ignition sources within the scope of legislation.”