Dust Explosion Risk Assessment of Extruded Food Production Process by Fault Tree Analysis

Abstract

Dust explosions in compressed food factories can cause severe injury and death as well as damage to assets. This research aimed to assess the risk of dust explosions using the Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) technique from grain extruded food production. The results showed that there were possible situations in which 14 dust explosions were generated at the belt-drying area of puffed food. Considering some fundamental factors, the primary reason for the most significant dust explosion risk is seen to be welding/cutting operations. These processes create a source of ignition or heat in the environment. Therefore, an extruded food production factory should train welding and metal cutting to prevent dust explosions. Moreover, a flameless venting device and an explosion suppression detector should be installed in dust collectors. The FTA method demonstrated the risk of a dust explosion caused by machinery and equipment that must be reduced and controlled to an acceptable level to prevent the occurrence of dust explosions, which has a serious impact on occupational health assets and the environment.