Three Step Solution to Combustible Dust Dangers

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

Catastrophic Combustible Dust

What You Need To Know

Combustible dust, present in almost every manufacturing and processing facility, is both common and deadly. Though once considered an industrial risk we only hoped to avoid, we now know that with proper controls and diligent maintenance, combustible dust fires and explosions are 100% preventable.

Dust explosions have many causes, from poor maintenance and unsafe procedures to electrical hazards, OSHA safety violations and more. But, they all share the same five elements.

Heat
Oxygen
Fuel
Dispersion
Confinement

The first three - heat, oxygen and fuel (the dust) - can react together to cause a blast. If the dust particles disperse in a sufficient quantity and concentration, the result is rapid combustion (deflagration). If confined, the resulting pressure rise can lead to an explosion.

The initial blast often disperses more combustible dust particles into the atmosphere, triggering one or more secondary explosions. Many times, secondary explosions are more destructive than initial explosions due to the increased quantity and concentration of dispersed combustible dust.

Dust Hazard Analysis

By now you may have already completed a dust hazard analysis (DHA), a NFPA 652 requirement. A DHA identifies potential fire, flash fire, and/or explosion hazards, both known and unknown, from combustible dust.

Often, the unknown hazards are the most dangerous. The 2008 Imperial Sugar Refinery fatal explosion was caused by a previously unknown hazard. A conveyor enclosure created the necessary confinement for dust that leaked and dispersed from silo outlets and was ignited by an overheated bearing inside the enclosure. Today, a DHA would identify such a risk, allowing facility operators to eliminate the danger.

CV Technology

Explosion and Fire Protection Specialists

The ultimate success of your company relies on the safety of your employees, the protection of you site and equipment and the continuity of your processes. Unfortunately, the very nature of powder and dry bulk materials put factories, equipment, process, and employees at risk.

CV Technology offers a complete strategy for fire and explosion protection, tailored to your unique factory and process. Their approach is threefold.

PREVENTION

Spark Detection System

The Eximio spark detection system utilizes infrared sensing elements and a daylight insensitive detection technology. The Eximio can detect black body particles, glowing embers, sparks, and flames. Once a particle, or ignition source, is detected, full cone water spray nozzles extinguish it before it creates a fire or a dust explosion. Detection and extinguishing functionalities are controlled by the Eximio-C Control Unit.

Multi Gas Detection (MGD,) originally developed for aerospace, identifies fire at a very early stage by intelligently analyzing different gas combinations. Advanced algorithms identify unique gas patterns and “learn” to ignore non-dangerous combustion gases. Calibration intervals can be as long as every 10 years.

EXPLOSION PROTECTION

For use both indoors and outdoors, CV Technologies Interceptor®-HRD suppression system uses high rate discharge bottles, cutting edge detectors, and intuitive controls.

Explosion vents relieve pressure and exhaust flames during a deflagration. A variety of different burst pressures and vacuum ratings are designed to handle any application.

FIRE PROTECTION

Time is critical when protecting your employees, machinery and production schedule. CV Technologies Quick Suppression System includes a flame detector, a water mist suppression, and a control system. The fixed automatic discharge fire suppression system enables a quick system response time and a fast extinguishing response.