Explosion Protection
A dust explosion is a common threat to process industries. Over the last ten years, there have been dozens of explosions worldwide, causing deaths, injuries, and considerable financial losses for destroyed property. Cause? In most cases, it happened because of the ignition of flammable gases, vapors, and dust. Nevertheless, the tragic consequences could be averted by using high-quality explosion protection.
The risk of explosion exists wherever all explosion conditions are fulfilled at the same time. The danger applies in particular to pneumatic material transport, bucket vertical and horizontal conveyors, filtration units, dryers, storage facilities for bulk and powder materials (silos, tanks), mills and crushers, machining equipment, where materials from light metal alloys (aluminum, magnesium, etc.) are split up and spouted during the procedure.
You cannot eliminate risk of an explosion, but you can minimalize the consequences
We usually use Rational industrial protection systems – RSBP extinguishing systems.
Explosion Venting
The RSBP membrane is the perfect economical solution for protection against damage and loss in production caused by the explosion. Under normal operating conditions, the venting opening on the technological equipment is covered by the explosion venting panel. When the operating pressure level increases inside the device, the venting panel opens, and thus the pressure and flame are released from the protected space. The technology is exposed to a lower pressure than its pressure resistance and hence won’t be destroyed. Effective dust explosion venting, including light metal dust, gas, and hybrid mixtures. Explosion venting device VMP is certified according to EN 14797 standard.
Flameless explosion venting
The FLEX flameless explosion venting device is a suitable solution for installation on technological equipment inside buildings or in production halls. Unlike conventional explosion venting, where temperatures up to 1 500 °C can be achieved, the FLEX device can cool the flame and flue gas temperatures to a level that is no longer dangerous for technology and the people around the equipment. FLEX meets the strictest requirements of the legislation for flameless venting and is certified according to EN 16009.
Explosion suppression system
The HRD system is a certified active explosion suppression system. Highly sensitive detectors can detect an explosion in a matter of milliseconds. The system then opens the valves of the HRD container unit and the pressure of the fire extinguisher pulls out special telescopic nozzles, which ensure efficient dispersion of the fire extinguisher into the entire protected area.
Thanks to the HRD system, the increase in explosion pressure is under control – below the limit of the pressure resistance of the protected device, thus securing it against destruction. To effectively protect the entire technology, it is appropriate to supplement the HRD system with an HRD barrier, which prevents the transmission of the explosion to subsequent parts of the technology. The HRD system is certified according to the EN 14373.
Chemical explosion isolation
The HRD barrier is an active system that prevents the transmission of an explosion. It releases the extinguishing agent extremely fast into the pipeline and thus stops the increase in pressure. The HRD barrier can also isolate an explosion of dust classified as St 2 dust, light metal dust, gases, and hybrid mixtures. Specially developed pressure and optical detectors constantly monitor the protected zones of the production technology. The DetEx pressure detector and the LumEx 1 or LumEx 4 optical detectors can be used for detection. Activation of the HRD barrier is also possible via the VMP explosion venting device. If an explosion is detected, the detectors transmit a signal to the control unit, which activates the HRD container units.
Explosion isolation flap
The innovated explosion isolation flap B-FLAP I is certified according to EN 16447 and EN 15089. B-FLAP I was tested by an accredited laboratory with emphasis on real-world conditions in the various production processes.
With the innovation, we bring extended installation options for the explosion isolation flap valve. According to current standards and certifications, the explosion isolation flap can be installed in horizontal and vertical pipeline. It can be used in aspiration systems with pull or push flow. B-FLAP I can also be installed on pipelines containing obstacles or elbows between the protected equipment and the place of installation of the explosion isolation flap. A novelty is also higher pressure resistance (pmax) of the isolation flap valve and increased maximum reduced pressure (pred,max) of the protected vessel, from which a potential explosion spreads. According to the latest tests and certifications, the minimum installation distance has been shortened, and the maximum installation distance from the protected equipment has been extended.
Explosion protection of conveyors
ELEVEX is an effective certified solution for the explosion protection of vertical and horizontal conveyors. The ELEVEX system reduces the explosion pressure to an extremely low level. Although the use of the ELEVEX system does not prevent the occurrence of an explosion in an elevator or other similar transport system, the consequences can be reduced to a minimum. The system is unique with its variability in use, where we can design it both for conveyors inside buildings and for those that are located outside. It can also be installed on your already operating technologies without any additional modifications. The ELEVEX system is certified according to the CEN/TR 16829.
Main Causes Of Dust Explosion
An explosion occurs when combustible dust dispersed in the air in high-enough concentration accumulates within an enclosed location in the atmosphere or in the presence of an oxidizing agent (pure oxygen). The last requirements are a source of ignition in a given space and at given time. The explosion is characterized by the rapid production of large amounts of heat, flue gases, and an enormous increase in pressure. That leads to a blast wave and usually to the destruction of technology. The lives and health of employees are at risk, production is interrupted or stopped. Repair of damages is expensive and often time-consuming.
RISK OF EXPLOSION IS PRESENT IN EVERY INDUSTRIAL FACILITY
Dust from organic and most synthetic materials and metals is flammable and can explode. The risk of explosion applies to all industrial plants that process and handle bulk solids and powder materials. Explosion conditions are displayed in an explosion pentagon. To mention industries with the highest risk of dust explosion: energy and power, agricultural and food, chemical and pharmaceutical, woodworking and paper industries, metalworking, and during the application of powder paints.
