(41r) The Use of Meira for Ignition Hazard Identification and Risk Mitigation

Description:

The intent of a Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA) is to identify potential process operations (normal and upset) that could lead to fires and explosions. To successfully accomplish this goal, owner/operators must establish a credible basis of safety that removes one or more of the elements of the Combustible Dust Explosion Pentagon. Control of Ignition Sources is a credible basis of safety; however many DHAs overlook the wide variety of ignition sources that are not electrical or electrostatic in nature.

This presentation will describe a disciplined approach that identifies potential electrical and non-electrical ignitions sources when conducting a DHA, including an appropriate focus on mechanical equipment ignition sources. Topics to be covered include:

1. Global approaches to identifying ignition sources, based on EN 1127-1:2019, “Explosive atmospheres – Explosion prevention and protection”
2. Common Electrical & Electrostatic Ignition Sources
3. Common Mechanical Equipment Ignition Sources & Scenarios
4. Basic Method for Conducting a Mechanical Equipment Ignition Risk Assessment (MEIRA)
5. How to integrate ignition source analysis into a comprehensive DHA.