DESC

DESC is a CFD code for simulating the course of industrial dust explosions in complex geometries.

The first version of DESC was developed in a project sponsored by the European Commission. Apart from GexCon, there were 10 main participants in the DESC project: HSL, TNO, Inburex, Fraunhofer-ICT, FSA, Øresund Safety Advisors, Warsaw University of Technology, Delft University of Technology, Hahn & Co and Lyckeby Culinar. Contributions were also received from Fike, INERIS, and University of Bergen. The project involved extensive experimental work, measurements in real process plants, modelling, and validation. A review of the DESC project has been published in The Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries (see below).

Current capabilities:

• Experimental input from standardised tests in the 20-litre sphere
• Extensive options for output of results, including 2D and 3D-plots
• Transient pneumatic dispersion of dust from pressurized reservoirs
• Dispersion of dust layers by turbulent flow or blast waves
• Strong ignition sources (e.g. chemical igniters)
• Fast acting valves triggered by sensor points
• Vent panels triggered by internal pressure

Planned capabilities:

• Improved models for particle-laden flow and heterogeneous combustion
• Improved methods for geometry building and grid generation
• Reduced grid-dependence on the simulation results
• Explosion suppression system triggered by sensor point

Relevant publications:

• Skjold, T. (2007). Review of the DESC Project. Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries, Vol. 20: 291-302.
• Skjold, T., Arntzen, B.J., Hansen, O.R., Storvik, I.E. & Eckhoff, R.K. (2006). Simulation of dust explosions in complex geometries with experimental input from standardized tests. Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries, Vol. 19: 210-217.
• Skjold, T., Larsen, Ø. & Hansen, O.R. (2006). Possibilities, limitations, and the way ahead for dust explosion modelling. IChemE Symposium Series, No. 151: 282-297.
• Skjold, T., Arntzen, B.J., Hansen, O.R., Taraldset, O.J., Storvik, I.E. & Eckhoff, R.K. (2005). Simulating dust explosions with the first version of DESC. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, Vol. 82, No. B2: 151-160.

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