Biscuit World Spring 2016 | Page 37

Expert view “During the milling of grain and handling of flour, friction/heat becomes a real ignition risk. Advanced chemical suppression systems are designed to detect the start of an explosion (point of ignition) and deliver dry, inert chemical extinguishing agents into a developing internal deflagration. These suppression and isolation systems can be activated by pressure, optical or vent sensors.” advanced flameless vents intercept, quench and retain all burning materials, preventing them from being expelled into the atmosphere. They are particularly useful for dust collectors, bins and bucket elevators. ISOLATION isolation systems can be activated by pressure, optical or vent sensors. A possible deflagration travelling through ducts, piping and connected equipment is quickly and efficiently extinguished, thereby preventing the spreading of explosion damage. Passive and active explosion isolation are designed to prevent any type of deflagration or explosion from spreading to other parts of processing equipment via areas of low pressure. This involves the installation of appropriate valves or rotary screws on susceptible inlets and outlets on the enclosure. Where chemical suppression is used to reduce the initial increasing pressure in an enclosure, hot gasses will attempt to exit such areas of lower pressure. PROTECTING YOUR BUSINESS It is important to carry out appropriate risk assessments to ensure the best protective solutions for use in a flour factory. BS&B always offer a free factory survey. This is essential for achieving optimal dust explosion protection and is the first step in ensuring that clients receive the right explosion protection solutions for their business and their staff, which are investments well worth protecting. l The IQR System is a solution for the protection of process equipment installed indoors. FLAMELESS VENTING If the worst happens and an explosion does occur inside a process or storage vessel containing combustible materials, a rapid rise in pressure can result, putting both staff and equipment at risk. Explosion vents are the preferred passive method for relieving such explosive pressure. The most BISCUIT WORLD • Spring 2016 37