MIE Minimum Ignition Energy
Minimum Ignition Energy (MIE)
The Minimum Ignition Energy (MIE) is the lowest energy required to ignite the flammable material in air or oxygen. The lowest value of the Minimum Ignition Energy is found at a certain optimum mixture.
The Minimum Ignition Energy (MIE) lies between the lowest energy value (E2) at which ignition occurred and the energy (E1) at which in at least 10 successive experiments no ignition was observed. The energy range thus determined is called the Minimum Ignition Energy of a combustible dust in admixture with air. However, for purposes of simplification often only the lower limit value (E1) is specified as the minimum ignition energy (MIE): E1 < MIE < E2.
Depending on the specific application, there are several standard procedures for determining MIE of dust clouds, solvent vapours and gases.
The common element in all procedures is that the energy is generated by an electrostatic spark discharge released from a capacitive electrical circuit. The exact circuit components and the arrangement of electrodes between which sparks are generated are the principle differences between the methods.
The Minimum Ignition Energy is a measure of how sensitive an explosive dust or powder is to electrical spark ignition. In particular, it gives guidance on whether ignition by electrostatic discharge from plant personnel or process conditions is likely to occur in practice.
Minimum Ignition Energy Test
The Minimum Ignition Energy test measures the ease of ignition of a dust cloud by electrical and electrostatic discharges. The test follows guidance given in BS 5958 and BS EN 13821 and may be used for DSEAR risk assessments to determine likely electrical ignition sources and whether special precautions are required to guard against static electricity.
The MIE apparatus used for this test consists of a borosilicate tube placed over a dispersion cup and fitted with two electrodes. The electrodes are connected to a circuit which produces an electrical spark of known energy.
A weighed sample of dust or powder is placed in the dispersion cup, which is then blown up through the tube with compressed air past the ignition source. If flame propagation is observed, the energy of the spark is reduced until no flame propagation is seen for ten consecutive tests. A range of dust sample weights is tried to ensure a thorough investigation of potential dust explosion concentrations.
Test Results
The test determines the lowest electrical spark energy that will ignite a dust explosion. Results of a 10m Joules or less indicate electrostatic ignition by plant personnel is possible and special precautions are required for explosion prevention.
Examples of typical dangerous substances in the workplace:
- Acrylic Polymer
- Aluminium Dust
- Amino Alcohol
- Bronze Powder
- Carbon Black
- Carbon Fibre Dust
- Cereal Flake Dust
- Coal Dust
- Coke Dust
- Composite Dust
- Curry Powder
- Dimethyl-phenylpyrazolidone
- Dried Sewage Sludge
- Fibre Insulation
- Flour
- Glass Fibre Polyurethane
- Grain Dusts
- Gum Arabic
- HDPE
- Hydroxy-methyl-phenylpyraolidone
- Leather Dust
- Liquorice Powder
- Melamine Dust
- Paper Dust
- Paraformaldehyde
- Pharmaceutical Powders
- Phenolic Resin
- Pigment Powder
- Polyelectric Powder
- Plastic Dust
- Potato starch
- Refined sugar
- Resin Dust
- Sodium Flurbiprofen
- Sulfuramide
- Tea
- Wood
MiE
- MIE depends on type of gas and concentration
- 8.0% volume methane is “sweet spot” for stoichiometric combustion of methane
- Although flammability range for CH4 is 5 – 15%, concentration where it is easiest to ignite is 8% by volume
- At 25° C, 1.0 atm, takes 0.3 mJ to initiate explosion chain reaction
- Static electricity “zap” when insert key into ignition = 5.0 mJMIE for other combustible gases much lower
How to assess dust explosion risks using the MIE ?
The MIE is a key data to consider for every source of ignition as the energy that the source of ignition will be able to generate will or will not be susceptible to trigger an explosion depending if it is lower or higher than the MIE.
It is necessary to calculate the energy triggered by the source of ignition during a risk assessment, for example for the following sources of ignition :
- Spark discharge
- Brush discharge
- Corona discharge
- Propagating brush discharge
- Cone discharges
- Mechanical sparks
What are the values of MIE creating significant dust explosion risk ?
MIE typically range from 1 mJ to 1000 mJ [Janes]. The lower the MIE, the higher is the risk of explosion as a very small energy input can trigger a dust cloud explosion.
MIE < 3 mJ should be processed with specific measures, the dust is extremely sensitive to ignition. Some equipment suppliers even refuse to handle projects with such low MIE as they are extremely sensitive even to small sparks.
In the following table MIE is quoted for flammable substances mixed with air. A reference is provided to indicate the source of the data. MIE values are provided for guidance only. Please check references for specific measurement conditions.
| Substance | MIE (mJ) |
| ABS | 30 |
| acetaldehyde |
0.37 |
| acetaldehyde | 0.36 |
| acetone | 1.15 |
| acetyl cellulose | 15 |
| acetylene | 0.017 |
| acrolein | 0.13 |
| acrylonitrile | 0.16 |
| adipic acid | 60 |
| alfalfa meal | 320-5100 |
| allyl chloride | 0.78 |
| aluminium | 50 |
| aluminium stearate | 15 |
| ammonia | 680 |
| antimony | 1920 |
| aspirin | 25-30 |
| aziridine | 0.48 |
| benzene | 0.20 |
| benzene | 0.22 |
| bisphenol-A | 1.8 |
| black powder | 320 |
| boron | 60 |
| 1,3-butadiene | 0.13 |
| butane | 0.25 |
| butane | 0.26 |
| n-butyl chloride | 0.33 |
| cadmium | 4000 |
| carbon monoxide | <0.3 |
| carbon disulphide | 0.009 |
| carbon disulphide | 0.015 |
| casein | 60 |
| cellulose | 35 |
| cellulose acetate | 20-50 |
| charcoal | 20 |
| chromium | 140 |
| cinnamon | 30 |
| coal | 40 |
| coal, pittsburg | 250 |
| cocoa | 100 |
| cocoa | 100-180 |
| coffee | 160 |
| copal | 30 |
| cork powder | 45 |
| cork powder | 35-100 |
| corn meal | 40 |
| corn flour | 20 |
| corn starch | 30-60 |
| cotton (filler) | 25 |
| cotton linters | 1920 |
| cyclohexane | 0.22 |
| cyclopentane | 0.54 |
| cyclopentane | 0.24 |
| 1,3-cyclopentadiene | 0.67 |
| cyclopropane | 0.17 |
| cyclopropane | 0.18 |
| dextrine | 40 |
| dichlorosilane | 0.015 |
| diethyl ether | 0.19 |
| diethyl ether | 0.2 |
| 2,3-dihydopyran | 0.36 |
| diisobutylene | 0.96 |
| diisopropyl ether | 1.14 |
| dimethoxymethane | 0.42 |
| dimethyl amine | <0.3 |
| 2,2-dimethyl butane | 0.25 |
| dimethyl ether | 0.29 |
| 2,2-dimethyl propane | 1.57 |
| dimethyl sulphide | 0.5 |
| dimethyl sulphide | 0.48 |
| dinitrobenzamide | 45 |
| dinitrobenzoic acid | 45 |
| dinitro-sym-diphenylurea | 60 |
| dinitrotoluamide | 15 |
| dioxane | <0.3 |
| di-(tert)-butylperoxide | 0.5 |
| di-(tert)-butylperoxide | 0.41 |
| epoxy resin | 15 |
| ethane | 0.24 |
| ethane | 0.26 |
| ethene | 0.07 |
| ether | 0.19 |
| ethyl acetate | 1.42 |
| ethyl amine | 2.4 |
| ethyl cellulose | 10 |
| ethyl chloride | <0.3 |
| ethylene | 0.07 |
| ethylene oxide | 0.06 |
| ethylene oxide | 0.065 |
| ethylene oxide | 0.062 |
| flour, cake | 25-80 |
| furan | 0.22 |
| gasoline | 0.8 |
| grain dust | 30 |
| grass seed | 60-260 |
| hemp | 30 |
| heptane | 0.24 |
| hexamethylenetetramine | 10 |
| hexane | 0.24 |
| hexane | 0.29 |
| hydrogen | 0.011 |
| hydrogen | 0.017 |
| hydrogen sulphide | 0.068 |
| hydrogen sulphide | 0.077 |
| isooctane | 1.35 |
| isopentane | 0.21 |
| isopentane | 0.25 |
| isopropyl alcohol | 0.65 |
| isopropyl amine | 2.0 |
| isopropyl chloride | 1.55 |
| isopropyl chloride | 1.08 |
| isopropyl ether | 1.14 |
| isopropyl mercaptan | 0.53 |
| lignin | 20 |
| lycopodium | 50 |
| magnesium | 80 |
| magnesium | 40 |
| manganese | 305 |
| melamine formaldehyde | 50-320 |
| methane | 0.28 |
| methane | 0.3 |
| methanol | 0.14 |
| methyl acetylene | 0.11 |
| methyl acetylene | 0.115 |
| methylal | 0.5 |
| methyl cyclohexane | 0.27 |
| methylene chloride | 10000 |
| methyl ethyl ketone | 0.53 |
| methylformate | 0.5 |
| methylmethacrylate | 15 |
| nitrostarch | 40 |
| nylon | 20 |
| nylon | 20-30 |
| paper dust | 20-60 |
| paraformaldehyde | 20 |
| pentaerythritol | 10 |
| pentane | 0.22 |
| 2-pentene | 0.18 |
| petroleum ether (benzine) | 0.25 |
| phenol formaldehyde | 10-6000 |
| phosphorus (red) | 0.2 |
| phthalic anhydride | 15 |
| PMMA | 15-20 |
| polyacrylonitrile | 20 |
| polycarbonate | 25 |
| polyethylene | 10 |
| polyethylene | 70 |
| polyethylene teraphthalate | 35 |
| polypropylene | 25-400 |
| polystyrene | 40-120 |
| polyvinyl acetate | 160 |
| polyvinyl acetate alcohol | 120 |
| polyvinyl butyral | 10 |
| potato starch | 20 |
| potato starch | 25 |
| propane | 0.25 |
| propane | 0.26 |
| propene |
0.28 |
| propionaldehyde | 0.4 |
| propylchloride | 1.08 |
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