Dust explosions in the sugar industry. Experiences from accidents Documentation dust explosions

Based on experiences gathered in the past in connection with sugar dust explosions, the paper aims at presenting risks to which the manufacturer and anyone handling sugar may be exposed. Once research findings had been successfully implemented in the industrial practice the sugar industry in the Federal Republic of Germany did not have any bigger accident for more than twenty years. Recent checks, however, revealed a number of safety technical deficiencies that had appeared in the meantime. A catalogue of protective measures and preventive decisions elaborated by the Berufsgenossenschaft for the sugar industry is intended to fill these gaps. An accident which occurred in the meantime is presented in greater depth. The paper is rounded off by a look into the latest accident statistics based on 600 evaluated dust explosions. It can be seen that the number of dedusting systems and dust separators is still on the increase. This is most probably due to continuously growing requirements in terms of occupational and environmental protection, calling for the use of sophisticated filtering systems.