Numerical simulation of spark ignition of air-borne powder dust

This paper describes the development of a physico-mathematical model of spark ignition of an air-borne powder dust, which is based on a two-phase two-speed model of reacting gas-dispersion medium. There are the results of numerical solution on the problem of spark ignition of an air-borne powder dust with allowance for its movement caused by gas expansion during heating. The relationships between the minimal energy of spark ignition of the air-borne powder dust and the mass concentration and particle size of powder dust are obtained. The particle size increases along with the minimal energy of spark ignition. There is mass concentration of powder dust particles with which the energy of spark ignition is minimal. The comparison of the results of calculations of the minimal energy of spark ignition of air-borne powder dust with known experimental data yields their satisfactory agreement.