Erythritol

Flammability

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

flammable solids

Remarks:

powder

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Study period:

2007

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

comparable to guideline study with acceptable restrictions

Qualifier:

equivalent or similar to guideline

Guideline:

other: En 13821

Version / remarks:

EN 13821 (Potentially explosive atmospheres - Explosion prevention and protection - Determination of minimum ignition energy of dust/air mixtures)

Principles of method if other than guideline:

The MIE (minimal ingnition energy) is the lowest energy that is sufficient to ignite a dust-air mixture, under specified test conditions. The determination of the MIE requires pneumatically dispersing of a given amount of dust in a test chamber. An electric spark of a theoretical energy level is then triggered between two electrodes located inside the chamber, which is an open transparent tube. Then, the diagnosis of the ignition is visual: propagation or non-propagation of a flame inside the tube. Standards also allowed implementing pressure-based detection instead of this visual detection in a closed system. The main influencing factors on MIE recorded values, for a given dust, are:
- delay between dust dispersion and sparkover,
- dispersion method, influenced e.g. by the nozzle size and shape,
- spark characteristics e.g. duration and energy, influenced by electric
circuit design such as including capacity, inductance and resistance values,
- amount of dust and particle distribution placed in the bottom cup of the explosion chamber prior to the test.
The two first items influence turbulence, dust concentration and particle distribution in the gap between electrodes at the time of sparkover. The third point is linked to the level of energy needed to ignite combustion. Finally, the last item influences average dust concentration and particle distribution in the explosion tube. The MIE is the energy initially stored in the electric circuit that is just sufficient to cause the ignition of the dust/air suspension, under the optimum conditions of delay between dust dispersion and sparkover and dust concentration.
Interpretation of results :
- MIE > 1000 mJ: sample almost insensitive to electrostatic ignition,
- 300 mJ < MIE < 1000 mJ, 100 mJ < MIE < 300 mJ and 30 mJ < MIE < 100 mJ: sample sensitive to electrostatic ignition,
- 10 mJ < MIE < 30 mJ and 3 mJ < MIE < 10 mJ : sample very sensitive to electrostatic ignition,
- 1 mJ < MIE < 3 mJ and MIE < 1 mJ : sample extremely sensitive to electrostatic ignition

GLP compliance:

yes (incl. QA statement)

Specific details on test material used for the study:

Sponsor sample identification : "Ultra - fines Erythritol" / Ineris sample identifiction : 07AA261
Sample received from the Sponsor on 03/01/07

Key result

Test procedure:

other: electrostatis ignition test

Remarks on result:

other: minimal ignition energy MIE between 100 and 300 mJ then low senitive

MIE between 100 and 300 mJ

Interpretation of results:

GHS criteria not met

Conclusions:

Erythritol powder is relatively low sensitive to electrostatic ignition.

Executive summary:

In an assay equivalent to EN 13810 method (Potentially explosive atmospheres - Explosion prevention and protection - Determination of minimum ignition energy of dust/air mixtures), the sample is relatively low sensitive to electrostatic ignition.(Potentially explosive atmospheres - Explosion prevention and protection - Determination of minimum ignition energy of dust/air mixtures), the sample is relatively low sensitive to electrostatic ignition.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Flammability:

not classified

Justification for classification or non-classification

Melting point is < 160° C, then a waiving could have been relevant for this flammablity endpoints under REACH.

Ignition temperature is >400°C and relatively low sensiitve to electrostatic ignition: non classified as flammable.