Experimental study of electrostatic charging related to prevention of fire and dust explosions in wood processing facilities

To address the concern of fire and dust explosions in wood processing facilities, the charging behavior on wood dust particles and air hoses during the air-blow cleaning operation were investigated. The effective work function, unit weight and surface roughness were key parameters influencing the charge accumulation on air hoses. The use of compressed air with lower velocity and higher moisture content could reduce the charge generation on airborne wood particles. Particle size, shape and wood species affect the charging behavior of wood dust. Conductive surface and moisture could help charges to be dissipated fast from wood dust particles. • Charge generation on wood dust depends on air velocity, humidity, and contact material. • Some species of wood dust tend to generate more charge than the others. • Charge on dry wood dust decays very slowly on all tested surfaces. • Moisture and grounding could speed up the charge decay. • The effective work function, unit weight and surface roughness affect charge accumulation on air hoses.