Limiting Oxygen Concentration Testing – LOC Dusts

An important strategy used to prevent explosions in process systems is to lower the oxygen concentration to the point where dust cloud deflagrations can no longer be supported.

The ASTM E1515 procedure is used together with added inert gas (usually nitrogen) to determine the lowest concentration of oxygen that supports combustion of a dust cloud.

Tests are conducted on fine dry dusts. Test standards recommend that the test be conducted on fine dusts, i.e., dust passing through a No. 200 sieve screen (or a No. 230 sieve screen when testing in accordance to EN requirements). If the moisture content is more than 5% then the sample is dried.

Sample size: 500 g