Fike Europe B.v.b.a., European pacesetter in pressure relief and explosion protection, has recently developed the FLEX-VTM, the Fire Limiting EXplosion Vent. This is a high performance device which protects industrial process equipment against the pressure effects of dust or gas explosions as well as secondary explosions and vacuum implosion after fire extinguishing.
One of the major hazards after an explosion within a large volume vessel such as a dust collector or silo is the danger of secondary explosions or fires. An explosion vent that recloses after explosion venting mitigates the chances of this happening and also allows for more effective post-explosion fire fighting.
All conventional explosion vents open entirely at a predetermined pressure, this guarantees that the overpressure accumulated during an explosion can be vented safely and the vented process equipment remains unharmed.
The FLEX-VTM lifts conventional explosion venting to the next level. After venting the explosion pressure, the vent panel recloses and covers approximately 90% of the original vent area. Due to the reclosing action the actual venting process time is shortened and the risk of secondary explosions within the process vessel is dramatically reduced.
The reclosing capabilities of the FLEX-VTM then allows for much more effective post explosion fire fighting in the vessel since an extinguishing agent, water-mist or steam can be injected into a confined space with the ingress of additional oxygen limited.
The highly flexible Fike FLEX-VTM also opens in reverse in response to a vacuum should one occur upon fire extinguishing; thus preventing the collapse/implosion of the vessel.
The Fike FLEX-VTM explosion vent is the link between passive explosion protection and effective fire fighting. It is the long awaited answer to questions the industry had to deal with for a long time.
For more details about the Fike FLEX-VTM please contact Fike UK on 01622 677081 or E-mail: sales@fike.co.uk.
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