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Grain dust bins face explosion risk each year

By Clayton Baumgarth

Posted February 22, 2023

Grain elevators, production plants, and silos like these all need to be cleaned regularly to minimize explosive risks. (Courtesy of Purdue Agricultural Communications)

Grain dust bins, usually found in rural areas, have so many particles in the air that explosions are possible when an ignition source is near. Nationwide, nine such incidents occurred in 2022, according to a Purdue report. That represents a slight increase over seven explosions in 2021 and a 10-year average of 7.8 explosions annually.

Despite the increase and 18 reported injuries, no fatalities were reported.

Kinglsy Ambrose, report author and Purdue professor of agricultural and biological engineering, said that the force of the explosions can be attributed to the sheer number of particles in the air mixing with an ignition source.

“We are talking about, like millions and billions of, you know, particles that are ignited at the same instant, or one, you know, fraction of second,” he said.

The explosions occurred in one ethanol plant, two feed mills, two grain elevators, two rice mills and two grain processing plants. The ignition sources were identified in three cases as a fire and one case as welding. The other five were from unknown sources.

“Often, five of the conditions needed for a grain dust explosion to occur are present in most grain feed, milling and processing facilities,” Ambrose said. “These conditions include dust, dispersed dust, confined space and oxygen. The presence of the fifth factor, an ignition source such as overheated bearing or mechanical friction, could lead to an explosion.”

Ambrose emphasized the importance of developing and implementing a detailed housekeeping program in order to minimize hazards.

“The basic thing that everyone has to focus on is keeping the facility clean, if you do not have any fuel, then we don't have any explosion to occur,” he said. “Second is maintenance, whenever we have some moving parts, there is a high chance for ignition from a friction malfunction, so keeping the equipment and all moving parts in good working order. The third is having increased awareness among workers.”