The effects of the war in Ukraine and the associated energy crisis continue to be felt across all industries in Europe. Companies that make and process foodstuffs and animal feed face major challenges. Maintaining food security has become a major issue in society. One of the keys to a secure and reliable supply of food is ensuring a continuous production process.
But the processing or storing of powdered foodstuffs presents a major risk of unplanned production stops. Dust explosions are a pernicious threat with devastating potential due to the massive rise in pressure they create.
Virtually all dry bulk products used in agriculture, such as flours made from grain, pulses and seeds, can form an explosive mixture in the right dust concentration. Other potentially explosive substances include starches, binders, sugars and sweeteners. Even non-powdered materials like feed pellets often create fine, flammable dusts through constant friction.
Critical mixtures of dust and air frequently arise around machines like conveyor systems, mills, dust filters or cyclones, especially if they are operated pneumatically. Excess powder can escape from a bucket elevator and concentrate in the air. The movement means that the dust particles remain airborne much longer than usual. Alongside flames and glowing embers, dust explosions can also be triggered by hot surfaces, static electricity or sparks generated mechanically or electrically. These are too many risk factors that cannot be completely eliminated. Certified explosion protection in design is therefore essential for process managers looking to safeguard production.
Suppression the key to explosion protection
Active, fast-acting suppression systems nip dust explosions in the bud. By keeping the explosions as small as possible, they allow production to restart quickly. The modular IPD system from Bormann & Neupert by BS&B can stop the initial spark of any explosion in a fraction of a second, well before the explosive pressure can unleash its full destructive potential.
The system uses sensors that immediately detect any critical rise in pressure, such as in the head or base of a bucket elevator. It then suppresses the explosion by spraying an effective, food-safe extinguishing agent directly at the source.
Preventing the spread of an explosion
The same technical operating principle is used to isolate explosions. Applying an extinguishing agent creates a barrier that prevents the flames from spreading to connected systems. Active mechanical systems are also effective. Redex active isolation valves or IVE pinch valves from BS&B reliably stop the spread of an explosion.
Pressure relief prevents damage
Conventional pressure relief systems like rupture discs offer reliable basic explosion protection in areas where the escape of flames and burning particles is acceptable. BS&B pressure relief systems burst immediately upon reaching the predefined activation pressure. By reacting quickly and instantly creating a large relief opening, they protect systems against the effects of pressure and prevent damage. R-IQ and IQR FlameFree pressure relief systems are a suitable alternative for indoor areas and environments that do not have a sufficiently large safety zone. A multi-layer filter made of stainless steel retains flames and particles while allowing the pressure wave to escape.
Another preventative explosion protection system from Bormann & Neupert by BS&B is the SparkEx. It detects sparks, hot particles, embers or flames in the production flow before extinguishing them automatically and reliably to stop them igniting an explosion.
Explosion protection in design is vital
Potential sources of ignition for explosions can almost never be entirely prevented. Design-based explosion protection from Bormann & Neupert by BS&B combines excellent safety with long-term economic efficiency, providing a suitable level of protection for personnel and facilities. Operators can therefore also rest assured that they are compliant with the relevant occupational safety regulations.
