Explosion Suppression Spotlight

Spark Detection Systems
Booth 5205 – These systems reduce the risk of fires and explosions in pneumatic conveying systems by extinguishing sparks before they reach the filter. Sensors detect a spark’s infrared radiation and trigger a fine mist of water, extinguishing the spark without interrupting production and reducing the risk of personnel injury, equipment damage, and downtime. The 5000-series systems, with a menu-driven interface for programmable functions, are more economically suitable for standard applications. The 7000-series systems, with advanced application programmability, provide more flexibility, more expandability, and more features for standard and complex configurations. Both systems are Factory Mutual approved.
GreCon Inc., Tigard, OR 503-641-7731 www.grecon-us.com

Spark Detection and Suppression System
Booth 4700 – The pneumatic conveying of combustible dusts carries an inherent risk for dust fires and explosion in many applications. Grinding, cutting, and drying operations can cause sparks that are typically the ignition source for fires and explosions in dust collectors and air filtration equipment. The Flamex system is specifically designed to address these hazards by detecting and suppressing sparks in the pneumatic ductwork before they can reach dust collectors or storage bins.
Flamex Inc., Greensboro, NC 336-299-2933 www.flamexinc.com

Spark Suppression
The Spark Cooler is a patent-pending technology that uses air instead of water to arrest sparks, saving time, money, and resources. It reduces the life and frequency of sparks in industrial exhaust systems without the use of water or chemical retardants. This spark arrester conditions the air stream to minimize the risk of duct and dust-collection fires. The simple installation and operation of the unit make it a cost-effective protection for ventilation systems that are vulnerable to sparks and fires.
Blender Products Inc., Denver, CO 800-523-5705 www.sparkcooler.com

Multipoint Monitoring System
Booth 2645 – For powder-handling plants that include several potentially isolated conductive parts, the Earth-Rite multipoint monitoring system prevents static ignition in any and all of the plant’s various components. Intrinsically safe and ATEX approved, the system can provide individual status indications or it can be linked to a lockout control system, preventing operation of the equipment until proper grounding has been obtained. This system ensures that all elements are connected together and safely grounded, providing up to eight interconnected channels from a single intrinsically safe supply. The system produces positive outputs, with individual indications, only when the resistance to ground is less than 10.
Newson Gale Inc., Lakewood, NJ 732-987-7715 www.newson-gale.com

Mechanical Isolation Valve
Booth 2428 – The Type IVE mechanical isolation valve guards against the passage of hot particles, glowing embers, and flames through interconnecting piping that may ignite a deflagration or a fire from one vessel to the next. In process systems, deflagration can spread from the initiating site to connected machinery through interconnected piping. In some applications, it may be feasible and desirable to detect, isolate, and quench prior to ignition. In both situations, a fast-response explosion-isolation valve offers a means to accomplish these tasks. The Type IVE valve remains open until it receives a signal from either a pressure responder or an optical sensor that detects hot particles, embers, and flames. The valve responds quickly by closing in milliseconds. This quick reaction prevents hot particles, embers, flames, or pressure from continuing to flow through the pipeline. The medium for actuation is compressed air that is stored in a tank at the valve to ensure the fastest response possible under any plant conditions.
BS&B Pressure Safety Management LLC, Tulsa, OK 800-272-3475 www.bsbipd.com

Explosion Protection
Booth 2231 – Fenwal provides innovative products to protect processes from dust explosion hazards while helping customers meet the requirements of the OSHA Combustible Dust Directive. State-of-the-art products include the PistonFire explosion suppressor, pressure and optical detectors, control panels, and explosion-relief vents that meet the stringent NFPA 68, 69, and 654 standards.
Fenwal Protection Systems, Ashland, MA, 508-881-2000 www.fenwalprotection.com

Shaft Seals to Minimize Explosion Risk
Booth 2531 – These seal designs have been adapted to comply with strict European explosive atmosphere regulations (ATEX). MECO seals not only keep dust and vapors from escaping from process vessels into the atmosphere, but they also incorporate safety features to reduce ignition risk. Designers examine every application individually and custom-engineer seals to meet processors’ requirements.
Woodex Bearing Company, Inc., Georgetown, ME 800-526-8800 www.woodex-meco.com

Smooth-Surface Rupture Panel
Booth 2442 – The metal-vent reverse-buckling (MVRB) rupture panel is designed to protect dust collectors, conveyor systems, dryers, and most other equipment that requires precise overpressure protection. With reduced nuisance failures, the panel life of the MVRB is longer than that of typical panels. Its smooth surface prevents product buildup and contamination, making it well suited for hygienic and sanitary applications. The nonfragmenting design increases process safety in the event of panel rupture. Custom sizes, materials, and panels designed to withstand vacuum are available upon request.
Oseco, Broken Arrow, OK 800-395-3475 www.oseco.com

Explosion Vent Panel
Booth 2311 – The Flex-V fire-limiting explosion vent panel is an explosion-protection device that is designed to allow fire-fighting agents the opportunity to effectively control fire situations. Unlike traditional explosion venting, the unit is designed to return to its original position at the end of the venting process, thereby recovering approximately 90% of the vent-relief area, shortening the venting process and reducing the ingress of fresh air (oxygen). The panel reclosure function greatly reduces the risk of secondary explosions in the process vessel and allows for more-efficient postexplosion fire fighting because the suppression agents can be injected into a reconfined space. The unit can also open inward, offering protection against vessel collapse resulting from post­explosion vacuum.
Fike Corp., Blue Springs, MO 816-655-4546 www.fike.com

Bucket-Elevator Rupture Panel
The Lift-Gard rupture panel guards against injuries and property damage caused by explosions in bucket elevators that transport bulk solids. Solely designed to protect bucket elevators, the easy-to-install panel provides maintenance-free explosion venting and rupture notification. It combines an integral frame and a Flo-Tel detection device to provide instant pressure relief and automatically switch off elevator motors in the event of an explosion. Available in a range of sizes, burst pressures, and temperature ranges, the unit comes in stainless steel as standard and is supplied ready for installation, requiring just six bolts to secure its outlet frame directly onto the elevator without the need for additional frames or welding.
Elfab Ltd, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, UK +44 191 2931220 www.elfab.com