Inerting of magnesium dust cloud with Ar, N2 and CO2

Experiments were conducted on the inerting of magnesium dust with N2, CO2, and Ar. Comparing the maximum explosion pressure, maximum rate of pressure rise, and limiting oxygen concentration with different inertants, it was determined that Ar is not the best inert gas under all conditions as commonly believed. N2 was more effective than Ar as an inertant. CO2 provided more inerting effect than either Ar and N2 in low magnesium dust concentrations, although explosibility was increased at higher dust concentrations. Both N2 and CO2 as inerting agents showed higher LOC values than Ar. These results indicated that N2 is a more economical inerting gas than Ar for the tested coarse magnesium dust.