What is Explosion Suppression?
“What is an Explosion Suppression System and how are they applied?”
A pre-cleaning cyclone (10,000 CFM) with an IEP Technologies active chemical system (ESS) on the inlet duct, outlet duct, and cyclone separator.
Cyclone Air-Media Separator (AMS) with Explosion Protection
Cyclones are classified as Air-Media Separators and as such need explosion protection. They are often overlooked when material handling systems are designed. In the attached case a cyclone acted as a pre-cleaner to a cartridge dust collector and was equipped with an IEP Technologies active chemical system (ESS) on the inlet duct, outlet duct, and cyclone body.
Mixer/Blender with IEP Explosion Suppression System
Mixers and blenders often have an ESS because of the loading of combustible powders and the aeration process that occurs during the blending process within the machine. When the process materials are confirmed to present a hazard, an ESS should be applied.
Ribbon Blender with IEP Explosion Suppression System
Donaldson DFE 3-18 Dust Collector with IEP Chemical Explosion Suppression on the Vessel along with Inlet and outlet isolation using Pistonfire II Suppressor Bottles.
Dust Collector with Explosion Suppression System
An explosion suppression system (ESS) is designed to detect and suppress an explosion or deflagration within milliseconds of the incident. Sensors detect the pressure buildup resulting from combustion, activate the suppressor bottles, and then the suppressant is discharged. Without active suppression, the pressure may rupture the vessel and cause secondary explosions by spreading flames into the facility and connected ducts. Explosion suppression systems are often selected when the manufacturing process is locked into an indoor space near operators, cannot be moved, where dust testing results (Kst and Pmax) are too high for other methods or the material being collected cannot be otherwise safely vented.
Bag Style Dust Collector with Explosion Suppression System in Place
ESSs have a wide range of applications in the spice and seasoning industry due to the amount of material handling equipment present in these facilities. Processes ranging from milling to blending, packaging, and storage vessels likely present a combustion risk. Pictured is a Donaldson bag-style dust collector used for dust control on a seasoning packaging line.
Donaldson Dalamatic Dust Collector with XP Drum Kits, explosion suppression on the dust collector, isolation on the inlet and outlet using Dynamic Pressure Detection.
Fluid Bed Dryer with Explosion Suppression System having PistonFire I bottles and pair of static pressure detectors.
Explosion Suppression on a Fluid Bed Dryer
Fluid bed dryers are used in many industries including pharmaceutical, chemical, and food. The process produces free-flowing dry powders from a liquid by using hot gas. These systems need an ESS because of the high volume of potentially explosive material.
Vacuum Receiver with Explosion Suppression System
An ESS is commonly added to dust collectors and product receivers that handle airstreams containing combustible dust in a continuous duty operation. This is due to the pulse cleaning mechanism present in most collectors which is constantly dislodging collected particulate from the filters, thus creating a constant dust cloud, or explosive environment, within the vessel.
A central vacuum receiver is protected with an IEP Explosion Suppression System at the inlet and outlet tubing and the vessel body.
Donaldson DFO 2-4 dust collector on pharmaceutical Toll processing application with explosion suppression bottles mounted on the dust collector and explosion isolation on the inlet and outlet duct.
IEP Technologies Explosion Suppression System on a Cartridge Style Dust Collector
An ESS is suitable for any setting where the harmful materials cannot be released into the environment, inside or outside the facility. The pharmaceutical industry relies on Explosion Suppression Systems in processes containing potent compounds found in research or production mode.