Production protected; food and feed production secured
In industrial processes with dry foodstuffs or feedstuffs, whirled-up dust can quickly create an ignitable atmosphere. Economical protection systems from Bormann & Neupert by BS&B effectively smother dust explosions.
In industrial processes involving dry food or animal feed, whirled-up dust can quickly create an ignitable atmosphere. Fatal, because dust explosions pose an enormous risk: unplanned production stops, destruction of equipment and even danger to human life. Economical protection systems from Bormann & Neupert by BS&B effectively nip dust explosions in the bud or reduce their effects to a minimum.
Maintaining process continuity
The energy crisis and the ongoing military conflict in the middle of Europe are showing their consequences in all industrial sectors. Manufacturers and processors of food and animal feed also face major challenges. Food security in particular has become a relevant social issue. A key criterion for available and safe food is maintaining process continuity during production.
However, when processing or storing powdered foods, there is a significant risk of unplanned production losses: dust explosions are treacherous; they bring with them an extreme increase in pressure and can thus develop a devastating destructive force.
Risks when handling dry material
Practically all dry agricultural bulk products, such as flour from cereals, pulses or kernels and seeds, cause an ignitable mixture in the corresponding dust concentration. Starch, sugar and sweeteners or binders are also included. Even materials that are not themselves in powder form - such as feed pellets - often form fine, combustible dusts due to constant rubbing together.
Critical dust-air mixtures are repeatedly produced around - especially pneumatic - conveyor systems, mills, dust filters or cyclones. In bucket elevators, the excess powder trickles off and accumulates in the air. Due to the movement, the dust particles can remain in the air there much longer than usual. Besides flames or glow nests, other possible triggers of a dust explosion are hot surfaces or mechanically and electrically generated sparks or electrostatic charges. Too many risk factors that cannot be completely avoided. Certified, constructive explosion protection is therefore of decisive importance for those responsible for the process in order to nevertheless maintain production safely.
Suppression stops explosion
Active, fast-acting explosion suppression systems nip any dust explosion in the bud, reduce its extent to a technical minimum and thus ensure the fastest possible resumption of regular operation. The modular IPD system from Bormann & Neupert by BS&B nips any incipient fire of an incipient explosion in the bud within fractions of a second - long before the explosion pressure can develop its full destructive force.
Sensors immediately detect a critical increase in pressure - for example in the head or foot of a bucket elevator - and enable the suppression system to react immediately: The extinguishing gun introduces a highly effective, food-grade extinguishing agent without diversions and suppresses the explosion.
Preventing the spread of an explosion
The same technical functional principle is used to decouple explosions. By introducing extinguishing agent, a barrier is created that stops the flames from spreading to connected areas of the plant. Active mechanical systems are also effective. Redex protective gate valves or IVE pinch valves from BS&B stop the spread just as reliably.
Pressure relief prevents damage
As conventional pressure relief devices, explosion protection rupture discs provide reliable basic protection wherever the escape of burning particles and flames is acceptable. Pressure relief devices from BS&B burst immediately when the predefined response pressure is reached. Thanks to the fast response and sudden release of a large relief opening, installations are protected from the effects of pressure - damage is avoided. For indoor areas and environments where a sufficiently large safety zone is not available, FlameFree pressure relief systems in the R-IQ and IQR variants are the alternative. A multi-layer stainless steel filter fabric retains flames and particles but allows the pressure wave to escape.
Another approach to preventive measures for explosion protection is provided by Bormann & Neupert by BS&B with SparkEx. The system detects sparks, hot particles or embers and flames in the product flow, extinguishes them reliably automatically and thus avoids ignition sources.
Constructive explosion protection is necessary
As a general rule, it is almost never possible to completely avoid potential ignition sources due to the nature of the process. Constructive explosion protection from Bormann & Neupert by BS&B combines high safety with long-term economic efficiency and thus creates the prerequisite for a sensible level of protection for persons and systems. This also gives operators the security of acting in accordance with the requirements of the relevant statutory industrial safety regulations.
