Coal Dust Explosion

[Bogey]

Had something happen earlier this evening that I had never had happen before.   Started up the charcoal grill and had emptied out a bag of charcoal except for a few briquetes and had set the bag aside.   The charcoal was lite and going pretty good when I picked up the bag to shake the last few bricks out onto the fire.  When I turned up the bag the usuall charcoal dust fell into the flames.    As soon as that happened there was a pretty good WHUMP sound as the dust exploded in the bag.  Nothing  destroyed but I will not be doing that again.

[HNT5]

That would freak almost anyone out. Something you just aren't expecting. Check out this video, same principle, just on a larger scale
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/80623061

Nathan

[Bogey]

Nathan, thanks for the link to that coal mine explosion.  Impressive.   Thankfully the event in my grill was on a much smaller scale.  But it did get my attention.  I have heard how different forms are explosive, kind of interesting to actually have it happen in front of you.

[MartinDWhite]

Sawdust will explode too. The finer the bigger the bang.

[Tn.Reb]

Flour dust is explosive too.

[bodiej]

also  -  non-dairy creamer

[TexasShooter72]

Wow, I've had similar happen but I pour my coals into a cylinder and start em' with paper.  After filling up that cylinder I'd realized I had another bag of coals with only a few remaining and when I emptied the other bag into he top of the cylinder this whooosh of power came back at me.  Must've been the coal dust I take it?  Kinda clears up a mystery for me!  I never figured out what happened that day until now.

Thanks for the tip!

[BJames]

The dust has much more surface area than a large chunk of solid material.  Each piece of dust reaches it's flash point easier, and BOOM!