Fire and Explosion Mitigation Solutions in the Grain Industry
How Cutting-Edge Technology Has Made Grain Milling Safer
Processes that involve grinding, drying, conveying and storing grain pose some of the biggest risks for combustible dust explosions.
While we’ re not so far advanced to ignore combustible dust altogether, innovative technology has made grain milling much safer than it was a century ago. With the right equipment and engineering controls in place, facilities can reduce the risk of devastating explosions.
Explosion Venting Panels And Flameless Vents
Explosion venting panels( or rupture panels) are designed to relieve pressure and gases from an explosion within a contained area, such as a dust collector or silo. They work by opening rapidly during an explosion, allowing the release of pressure in a controlled manner. Flameless vents incorporate the same explosion vent panels along with a system of layered mesh that quenches flames following an explosion, allowing indoor vessels to vent without causing injury or damage to personnel or property.
The flameless explosion venting device VIGIFLAM Vi is designed in a rectangular shape and consists of three main components: the body, a metal filter composed of several layers to cool flames, and a new innovative explosion panel. This stainless steel membrane is weakened in the middle allowing it to rupture when excessive overpressure occurs inside the enclosure intended to be protected.
The VIGIFLAM Vi is specifically designed for conveyors – bucket, belt, chain, and screw conveyors – due to its compact and efficient design, making it suitable for protecting such equipment in industrial settings.
Passive Explosion Isolation System
Passive explosion isolation equipment, like Boss Products’, Vigiflap, is designed to isolate explosions happening within equipment enclosures, preventing the hazardous spread of fire and reducing the chance of a secondary explosion. Passive systems are generally more straightforward in design and operation compared to active systems, have a lower one-time cost and are easier to maintain. In fact, facility personnel can do inspections themselves.
Spark Detection Systems And Monitoring Systems
Spark detection systems detect live embers and sparks in airstreams to prevent ignition sources from reaching equipment enclosures where devastating explosions can happen. On the other hand, monitoring systems are particularly useful in grain facilities for equipment like bucket elevators and conveyors. Unlike spark detectors, which work by identifying live embers, monitoring systems detect potential ignition sources such as hot bearings, belt misalignment and choked chutes.
Boss Products UK offers complete safety solutions for combustible dust collection and control to manage fire and explosion risk in grain facilities. To learn more about how our equipment can protect your investment and your workers, contact Boss Products UK today.
Boss Products UK www. bossproducts. co. uk
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