This step-by-step guide will walk you through the entire process of calculating explosion vent requirements for your dust collector, from initial setup to downloading your calculation report.
Estimated Time: 5-10 minutes
Required Information: Vessel dimensions, dust properties (Kst, Pmax, Pstat, Pred)
When you first open the calculator, you'll see the welcome screen with important safety information.
On the Welcome Screen:
- Read the important notice about calculation verification
- Review the disclaimer information
- Click the blue "Get Started" button to begin your calculation
Important: All calculations should be verified by qualified engineers before implementation.
Choose the configuration that matches your dust collector setup:
Case 1: Cylindrical Vessel with Hopper (Dirty & Clean Air, With Filter Section)
For cylindrical dust collectors with a hopper section. Requires dimensions: D1, D2, Hc, H, hc, hhop.
Case 2: Cylindrical Vessel with Hopper (Dirty Air Only, No Filter, e.g., Cyclone)
For cylindrical collectors with a conical/hopper section. Requires dimensions: D1, D2, Hc, H, hc, hhop.
Case 3: Rectangular Vessel with Hopper (Top Clean Area, With Filter Section)
For rectangular dust collectors with a hopper section. Requires dimensions: A1, B1, Hc, H, hen, hc, hhop, a1, b1, a2, b2.
Case 4: Rectangular Vessel with Hopper (Side Clean Area, With Filter Section)
For standard rectangular dust collectors. Requires dimensions: A1, B1, Hc, H, hen, hc, hhop, a1, b1, a2, b2.
Enter the explosion characteristics of your dust. These values must be obtained from laboratory testing or material data sheets.
Required Dust Properties
Kst (bar·m/s)
Dust explosion severity. Typical range: 0-300. Higher values = more severe explosions.
Pmax (bar)
Maximum explosion pressure. Typical range: 5-12 bar. Common dusts: 8-10 bar.
Pstat (bar)
Static pressure inside the system during normal operation.
Pred (bar)
Reduced explosion pressure with venting. Usually 0.1-2.0 bar.
Where to find these values: Contact your dust testing laboratory, check material safety data sheets (MSDS), or refer to NFPA 68 Annex tables for common materials.
Choose Your Explosion Vent Type:
VD – Domed Panels
Domed explosion vent panels.
VL – Flat Panels
Standard flat explosion vent panels.
VQ – Vigiflam Flameless Vents
Vigiflam flameless vents.
VS – Vigispace Deflector
Explosion vent deflector.
Vi – Vigiflam Flameless Vents
Vigiflam flameless vents.
Additional Options:
Filter Present?
Select "Yes" if your dust collector has filters installed. This adds a 25% safety factor to account for flow restrictions.
Measurement Unit
Choose your preferred unit: Inches (in), Feet (ft), Millimeters (mm), or Meters (m). All inputs will use this unit.
Enter the dimensions of your dust collector. Required dimensions vary based on the configuration you selected in Step 2.
All fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required. The calculator will alert you if any required dimensions are missing.
If your dust collector has additional space below the hopper (such as a drum or collection chamber), you can include it in the volume calculation.
When to Use This:
Select "Yes" if there is a drum, collection bin, or additional chamber below the hopper that connects to the main vessel. Enter the height and volume of this space to include it in the total vessel volume calculation.
Select "No" if there is a rotary airlock.
You can upload a drawing or diagram of your dust collector for reference.
Supported File Types:
- Images: PNG, JPG, JPEG
- Documents: PDF
- CAD files: DWG, DXF
Uploading a drawing helps document your configuration and makes it easier to reference the specific setup in the future.
Once all required information is entered, click the "Calculate Explosion Vent" button at the bottom of the form.
What Happens Next:
- The calculator validates all inputs
- Volume calculations are performed per NFPA 68 standards
- Required vent area is calculated
- Optimal panel configuration is selected
- Results are displayed with detailed breakdown
The calculator automatically selects the most economical panel configuration that meets your safety requirements.
The results page displays comprehensive calculation details:
Results Include:
Volume Calculations
- Total volume (ft³ and m³)
- Effective volume (Veff)
- Component breakdown
Vent Requirements
- Required vent area
- Recommended panel quantity
- Total vent area provided
Panel Selection
- Panel type and size
- Effective area per panel
- Physical dimensions
Safety Information
- Safety margin
- NFPA 68 compliance notes
- Important warnings
You have multiple options to save and share your calculation results:
VERY IMPORTANT!
Always save a PDF copy of your calculation report for your records. This document is essential for:
- Compliance and regulatory documentation
- Future reference and project records
- Safety audits and inspections
Export Options:
1. Export PDF Button
Click the "Export PDF" button to generate a professional PDF report. The report opens in a new window where you can save or print it directly.
2. Print Button
Use the "Print" button to print the report directly or save as PDF using your browser's print dialog.
PDF Report Contents: Your PDF includes all input parameters, calculation methodology, results, panel specifications, and Boss Products contact information.
Best Practices:
- Always obtain dust properties from certified laboratory testing
- Double-check all dimension entries before calculating
- Keep a copy of your calculation report for your records
- Consult with Boss Products engineers if needed
- Consider additional safety factors for critical applications
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Using estimated dust properties instead of tested values
- Mixing measurement units (always check your selected unit)
- Forgetting to account for filters when present
- Not verifying vessel pressure rating (Pstat)
- Implementing results without engineering review
Our team is here to assist you with any questions about the calculator or your results.
Email: info@bossproductsamerica.com
Phone: +1 (210) 664-4200
Website: https://bossproductsamerica.com/