No description available.

This thesis is concerned with the experimental determination of the fundamental flame characteristics in a dust-air mixture and the influence of turbulence on flame propagation. Experiments were carried out in a tube having a 0.19 meter inside diameter and a length of 0.93 meter, and 1.86 meter with both ends closed. A dispersion system was developed giving a good quality uniform dust suspension. A comparative method for the estimation of dust flame characteristics, based on well defined methane-air flame characteristics, was developed and employed to estimate the characteristics of a flame propagating in a cornstarch dust-air mixture. A systematic study of the influence of dispersion-induced turbulence on the dust flame propagation was carried out. The influence of obstacles on flame propagation also was investigated. Some mechanisms of flame propagation in a cornstarch dust-air mixture have been proposed and discussed. In the conclusion, general remarks concerning the dust flame characteristics and the influence of turbulence on flame propagation are made. The future direction of research is also indicated.