Our Solutions: Testing
Our UK laboratory generates Minimum Ignition Temperature (MIT) test data for your combustible, flammable & explosive dust. This test determines the lowest temperature at which a hot surface area will ignite combustible dust or powders when dispersed in air.
Sigma-HSE is your single solution provider for a full range of combustible dust & powder flammability testing.
Our dedicated team of experts are committed to helping you ensure that your dusts and/or powders will not generate a combustible atmosphere, preventing a dust explosion so that you can maintain workplace safety and comply with the regulators.
BS EN ISO IEC 80079-20-2” to the standards before BS EN 50281-2-1 / ASTM E1491
The Minimum Ignition Temperature (MIT) test is conducted to determine the lowest temperature at which a hot surface area will ignite combustible dust or powders when dispersed in air.
Working through a range of combustible dust concentrations, powders are dispersed as a dust cloud through a heated vertical ‘Godbert-Greenwald’ furnace, using compressed air.
Once an ignition temperature is observed, the furnace temperature is reduced. If ignition occurs, dispersion pressure and combustible dust/powder concentrations are varied until repeated non-ignitions determine a ‘Minimum Ignition Temperature’. The MIT value is the minimum temperature required for ignition without a flame or spark and can be thought of as a ‘spontaneous ignition temperature’.
The MIT test is one of three core combustible dusts test methods used to access combustible dust ignition sensitivity. Minimum ignition temperature test data is required for defining the maximum operating temperature for electrical and non-electrical equipment used in areas where test material is present.
This data is combined with the Layer Ignition temperature (LIT), which simulates a hot surface in contact with a dust layer, to determine the maximum permitted surface temperature of machinery. The MIT & and LIT may differ due to the material characteristics of a dust but will provide a realistic ignition temperature for differing scenarios.
Avoidance of ignition sources as the ‘basis of safety’, is often used for manufacturing processes such as charging vessels from sacks, IBCs or FIBCs, pneumatic conveying, milling, and tabletting chemical manufacturing operations. Materials that can create a flammable atmosphere are found to be insensitive to ignition.
It is therefore easy, practical, and cost-effective to ensure that a source of ignition capable of initiating a dust explosion is not present.
Receive quick and accurate MIT testing data in just a few simple steps
Get in touch with one of our experts so we can learn more about your specific process, unit operations and combustible dust testing requirements. We'll then generate and send you a customised quote.
Prepare your combustible dust samples and ship them to one of our laboratories (UK or India).
Once we've received your potentially combustible dust or powder samples, we'll begin testing and analysing. We'll then create and send you a custom in-depth report detailing the potentially hazardous properties of your materials.
If you need support after receiving your report, our after-project support team will be on hand to assist you with any questions you may have about your combustible dust or powders. We can also aid you in your understanding of what combustible dust explosion hazard prevention measures will be most suitable for your processes.
We also undertake the following combustible dust tests to simulate a primary dust explosion, secondary dust explosion and/or dust ignition:
Please contact us if you have any bespoke combustible dust or powder testing requirements, or if you require consultancy services related to powder and combustible dust explosion safety.
Whether your process uses wood dust, coal dust or metal dust, getting your hazardous materials tested is an important step to prevent a combustible dust explosion, flash fire or other process-related hazards. Get in touch to learn more about how we can assist you in keeping your process plant and unit operations safe from combustible dust and powder explosions.
Sigma-HSE is a globally recognised process safety company that provides a range of testing, consulting and training solutions.
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