DryPro: Beyond Hazardous Area Classification: Mechanical Equipment Ignition Risk Assessment (MEIRA)

The intent of a Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA) is to identify potential process operations (normal and upset) that could lead to fires and explosions. To successfully accomplish this goal, owner/operators must establish a credible basis of safety that removes one or more of the elements of the Combustible Dust Explosion Pentagon. Control of Ignition Sources is a credible basis of safety; however many DHAs overlook the wide variety of ignition sources that are not electrical or electrostatic in nature.

This presentation will describe a disciplined approach that identifies potential electrical and non-electrical ignition sources when conducting a DHA, including an appropriate focus on mechanical equipment ignition sources.