See our latest projects and be updated with recent news and features
happening in the world of pneumatic conveying, materials handling
and industrial vacuum systems.
» Season's greetings - Office closed from 12pm on 20 December to 9am on 6 January 2025
INDUSTRIAL EXPLOSION PROTECTION SYSTEMS FOR SILOS AND DUST COLLECTORS
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
As we enter 2017, it is important to ensure the safety of your plants and factory with an industrial explosion protection system.
Why is this necessary? Read on.
Silos do not normally contain their own sources of ignition, yet industrial explosion protection is still very much needed to ensure the safety of your workers. as illustrated in the below image.
If all these five factors are present in your plant and factory, then you should have an industrial explosion protection system installed.
But if the hazard is not coming from the inside, then where is it coming from? One of the possibilities is that the hazard may have entered from upstream into the silo.
The Imperial Sugar explosion
On February 7, 2008, a huge explosion and fire occurred at the Imperial Sugar refinery northwest of Savannah, Georgia. This resulted to 14 deaths and 38 injuries, 14 with serious and life-threatening burns. The explosion was fuelled by massive accumulations of combustible sugar dust throughout the packaging building.
Watch this video explaining how the massive explosion took place.
The dangers of aspirated dust - why an industrial explosion protection?
Aspirated dust can be purged inside the filter of hoses, which can lead to high dust concentrations. This accumulated dust, together with sparks and hot embers, can enter dust collector systems and cause a dust explosion.
With this in mind, it is of utmost importance that all dust collectors be protected through industrial explosion protection. Read more about explosion venting and flameless venting you can use to safeguard your plant and workers from potential dust explosion.
Industrial explosion protection system assessment for plant and factories
In as much as parts of your plant can be protected separately, You will find that a full comprehensive industrial explosion protection system of the entire plant is more economical. However, this requires an expert who will check all the interaction between the parts and other specific arrangements in your factory or plant's production process.
Explosion venting
Venting violent overpressure is critical for any facility owner where potentially explosive atmosphere, materials, and processes exist. This has to be addressed especially if an ignition source, a fuel and confinement is present. Otherwise if something burns, it can most likely explode.
How explosion vents work
Explosion vents open when predetermined pressures are reached inside the collector. This allows the excess pressure and flame front to exit into a safe area. Watch this video to see how it works.
Pneuvay Engineering designs explosion vents that minimises the damage to the dust collector. It also prevents it from blowing up in the event of a deflagration.
Industrial explosion protection - explosion vents
Flameless explosion venting
In as much as regular explosion vents can protect certain indoor comp components, factories and plants still require additional protection, especially from secondary explosions.
Facts about explosion protection systems and dust collectors
The greater the distance of the explosion from its source, the greater the pressure the dust and the plant must withstand. This requires a more expensive dust collection and technology for explosion prevention. Thus, the need for an expert dust collector company who can assist you. Call us at 1300 721 458.
How flameless explosion venting works
Flameless explosion venting rapidly and efficiently cools the flames in the mesh filter of the flame absorber and immediately extinguishes it. This means no pressure waves or flames exit from it. Rather, the flameless vent extinguishes the flame front exiting the vented area and not allowing it to exit the device.
As a result, conventional venting can be accomplished even indoors where it could otherwise endanger staff and personnel due to an ignited secondary explosion.
The following industries commonly requires explosion and flameless vents for their dust collector systems:
Pharmaceutical and chemical production
Petroleum, energy and mining industry
Paint, varnish manufacturers and recycling centres
Co-generation and fossil fuel plants
Sewage treatment (by-product recycling)
Automotive (air bag, mfg. Plant lines)
Grinding/pulverizing processes (airborne dusts)
Ink manufacturers and printing Companies (solvent use/storage)
Paper process (solvent use/storage) and
Food processing (airborne dust) and Grain Milling Facilities (airborne dusts)
Laboratory test, university labs and hospitals (gas and/or flammable storage areas)
Armories (arms storage rooms) and nuclear power stations
Choose a professional industrial explosion protection system expert - call 1300721458
Professional industrial explosion protection can be expensive. However, a simple calculation will prove it to be the more economical choice.
If you will compare it with over engineering and insufficient protection, you'll be surprised with the amount of savings your company will gain from it. This is not to mention the priceless lives of people you will be saving and protecting.
Here at Pneuvay Engineering, we take a comprehensive approach and implement an all encompassing, fully customised industrial explosion safety solutions.
We have more than 30 years of experience in designing, constructing, and installing dust collector, industrial vacuum and industrial explosion protection systems. Learn more about the various projects we have completed:
