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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>G’day Duncan,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Good points!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Once upon a time there were seven(7) flour mills in Gawler, but
today only one is standing as all 7 suffered explosions/massive fires (some
more than once). Perhaps we should start spreading information about the
hazards of flour.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Remember the most dangerous thing we can do is breath, as a lot
of the people who breathed are now dead and those breathing today will probably
not be alive in 100 years!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Happy digesting,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>HOOROO<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Consolas;
color:#1F497D'>Mr. Paul Harris, Room S116b, Waite Main Building Faculty of
Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, PMB 1, Glen Osmond SA
5064 Ph : +61 8 8303 7880
Fax : +61 8 8303 4386 <a
href="mailto:paul.harris@adelaide.edu.au"><span style='color:blue'>mailto:paul.harris@adelaide.edu.au</span></a>
<a href="http://www.adelaide.edu.au/directory/paul.harris"><span
style='color:blue'>http://www.adelaide.edu.au/directory/paul.harris</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Consolas;
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Consolas;
color:#1F497D'>CRICOS Provider Number 00123M<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Consolas;
color:#1F497D'>This email message is intended only for the addressee(s) and
contains information that may be confidential and/or copyright. If you
are not the intended recipient please notify the sender by reply email and
immediately delete this email. Use, disclosure or reproduction of this email by
anyone other than the intended recipient(s) is strictly prohibited. No
representation is made that this email or any attachments are free of viruses.
Virus scanning is recommended and is the responsibility of the recipient.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:
"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> digestion-bounces@lists.bioenergylists.org
[mailto:digestion-bounces@lists.bioenergylists.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Duncan
Martin<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, 4 March 2011 1:04 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> For Discussion of Anaerobic Digestion<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Digestion] Biogas Accident<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Stephen's report suggests two explanations - <b>neither of
them connected with AD</b>. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>The biogas community must make sure that accurate reports
are published ASAP, before false rumours spread and take root.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>1. Gas is the obvious scapegoat for any explosion -<b> but</b> <b>was
the cause gas at all?</b> Many fine powders can explode if suspended in air -
which can easily happen in a poorly-run factory with a dust-laden atmosphere.
Starch has been known as an explosion hazard for decades. I recall a major
explosion many years ago at the Bird's Custard Powder plant in Banbury, England
- and custard powder is 99% corn starch. Almost identical to tapioca starch!<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>2. However, if the cause was gas, a gas explosion at the
point of use is just that - <b>a simple gas explosion.</b> It could as easily
happen with natural gas, LPG, hydrogen or any gaseous fuel. The source of the
gas would only be relevant if biogas was more explosive than other commonly
used fuel gases - which it is not. It's safer than many in fact.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b>Could someone with good local connections offer to
get the facts - then nail the rumours! </b><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>In the meantime,<b> I would suggest we avoid discussing the
matter on this list - </b>or we'll just feed the rumours. We should
also avoid discussing it anywhere as a "<i>biogas explosion</i>".
It's just an "<i>explosion</i>" unless proven to be due to gas. And
it's just a "<i>gas explosion"</i> unless evidence emerges that
the nature of the gas is relevant. <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Duncan Martin PhD<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Cloughjordan Ecovillage<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>Ireland<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.thevillage.ie">www.thevillage.ie</a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>On 1 March 2011 03:48, Dr Stephen P Etheridge <<a
href="mailto:spe@biotrix.asia">spe@biotrix.asia</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-GB style='color:navy'>Fellow AD Listmembers</span><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-GB style='color:navy'> </span><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-GB style='color:navy'>I wrote a note on 29<sup>th</sup> Jan re: Biogas
explosions, a subject that could potentially affect everyone in this sector. I
did not realise that I would have to revisit the subject so soon.</span><span
lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-GB style='color:navy'> </span><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-GB style='color:navy'>Last Friday at 4.30pm a major biogas explosion at
a Tapioca Starch Factory in Thailand injured 31, 18 seriously. Since that time
7 have died of burns injuries and this number is expected to increase. </span><span
lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-GB style='color:navy'> </span><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-GB style='color:navy'>See: </span><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-US><a href="http://www.baanmaha.com/community/blogs/entry470.html"
target="_blank">http://www.baanmaha.com/community/blogs/entry470.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-US><a
href="http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/446507-40-workers-injured-in-gas-explosion-in-chaiyaphum/"
target="_blank">http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/446507-40-workers-injured-in-gas-explosion-in-chaiyaphum/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-US><a
href="http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/31-workers-injured-in-gas-explosion-in-Chaiyaphum-30149629.html"
target="_blank">http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/31-workers-injured-in-gas-explosion-in-Chaiyaphum-30149629.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-US><a
href="http://www.ethailand.com/news/five-more-workers-killed-raising-gas-explosion-toll-to-seven-91356.html"
target="_blank">http://www.ethailand.com/news/five-more-workers-killed-raising-gas-explosion-toll-to-seven-91356.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-US><a
href="http://koratfart.com/isaan-news/chaiyaphum-31-workers-injured-in-gas-explosion/"
target="_blank">http://koratfart.com/isaan-news/chaiyaphum-31-workers-injured-in-gas-explosion/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-US><a
href="http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011/03/01/national/Factory-death-toll-hits-seven-30149747.html"
target="_blank">http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011/03/01/national/Factory-death-toll-hits-seven-30149747.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-GB style='color:navy'> </span><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-GB style='color:navy'>Clearly this has the potential to affect everyone
in this sector but certainly those of us woking in Thailand and S E Asia. As
far as I am aware this would be the worst biogas accident globally.</span><span
lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-GB style='color:navy'> </span><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-GB style='color:navy'>The biogas plant was built by P&S Designs
Co., Ltd. - </span><span lang=EN-GB><a
href="http://www.psbiogas.com/eng/intro.html" target="_blank">http://www.psbiogas.com/eng/intro.html</a>
, however the explosion was not at the digester, but at the starch bagging
plant where the biogas is used.</span><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-GB style='color:navy'> </span><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-GB style='color:navy'>The english language press indicates that burning
wild grass entered a biogas pipe, which seems strange since biogas pipes are
sealed. The Thai language press indicates that “hot work” (i.e.
welding) was taking place over a biogas pipe. It is common in Thailand to use
HDPE pipe for biogas but usually only up to the building where the “point
of use” is. After that it should be, and usually is, stainless steel.
However, if welding was taking place near an HDPE biogas pipe then this could
have resulted in inital ignition.</span><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-GB style='color:navy'> </span><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-GB style='color:navy'>There have been two prior small explosions here
with faulty burner gas valves but this can happen with any gas boiler coupled
with poor maintenance (Previous explosions detailed in Appendix 2</span><span
lang=EN-GB> <a
href="http://www.eeec.eng.ku.ac.th/files/Handbook-BiogasSafety-IndustryFactory.pdf"
target="_blank">http://www.eeec.eng.ku.ac.th/files/Handbook-BiogasSafety-IndustryFactory.pdf</a>)<span
style='color:navy'>. From personal experience in the Thai Tapioca sector the
bagging area rarely gets the respect it deserves as a potentially explosive
area (</span></span><span lang=EN-US><a
href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Jermani099#p/a/u/2/s02zYPE_AgM"
target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/user/Jermani099#p/a/u/2/s02zYPE_AgM</a>
). Having said that, there are more than 200 large scale Tapioca biogas plants
in Thailand and a biogas explosion has not happened before. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-US> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-US>I suspect that biogas may have ignited and that this may have
triggered a starch explosion in the enclosed bagging area, but without
substantial information this is pure speculation at this point.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-US> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-US>I will let the group know if there are substantive developments and
I am sure we would all wish to express our sympathies to those involved.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-GB style='color:navy'> </span><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-GB style='color:navy'> </span><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-GB style='color:navy'>Stephen Etheridge </span><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span
lang=EN-US><a href="mailto:spe@biotrix.asia" target="_blank">spe@biotrix.asia</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><br>
_______________________________________________<br>
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<br>
for more information about digestion, see<br>
Beginner's Guide to Biogas<br>
<a href="http://www.adelaide.edu.au/biogas/" target="_blank">http://www.adelaide.edu.au/biogas/</a><br>
and the Biogas Wiki <a href="http://biogas.wikispaces.com/" target="_blank">http://biogas.wikispaces.com/</a><br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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