Oleg Lego wrote:
The RayV entity posted thusly:


I've searched the wreck archives, osha site, googled the web... all I
can find are anecdotal statements.

"sawdust can explode..."
"any combustible material in dust form is explosive..."
"PVC cannot be effectively grounded..."


snippage

Doesn't anyone beLIEve in facts anymore?
How much dust in what concentration is required for an explosion?
How much of a static charge would be required to ignite that dust?


Yes, I do believe in facts.

No idea of the concentrations or how hot a spark it would take to set
it off.

I was, however, rudely awakened one Sunday morning in North Vancouver
when a grain elevator about 5 miles from me was subject to a grain
dust explosion. That was in the mid-70s or so, if you feel like
looking it up.

I also participated in several experiments in which we ignited clouds
of flour, cornstarch, and sawdust. No real explosion, because it was a
small and unconfined cloud, but it was, nonetheless, spectacular.

My mother couldn't explain the seemingly rapid disappearance of her
cache of corn starch when I, unbeknownst to her, would sneak baggies of
it down to the creek bed to huff it out my mouth at a candle held before
my face--much to my inner pyromaniac's delight.

er
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