Fire prevention is a prime concern for facilities using, producing or transporting biomass. In the event of a fire or explosion there is a risk of injury and loss of life; damage to expensive machinery; damage to premises and storage facilities; production interruptions resulting in a loss of income and/or customers.
These safety and economic risks can, however, be mitigated by employing field-proven automated fire prevention solutions to help protect people, premises and enable interrupted process and production.
Ignition Risks in Dust Extraction, Silos and Conveying Systems
Continuous operation of fast-running machinery, high operating pressures and high process temperatures can result in sparks, glowing embers and hot particles, all of which are potential sources of ignition. Early detection and extinguishment of ignition sources can minimise the risk of both fire and explosion.
In all these instances, there are solutions that can be employed to detect risk at an early stage, triggering extinguishment of ignition sources before they are able to cause a fire or explosion.
Fire Prevention Solutions
Various methods are available to detect fire, or the risk of fire. The simplest of these can be temperature measurement or flame detectors. The downside of some of these solutions is that they can alert too late, once a fire is already established or beginning to smoulder.
Infrared detectors can be used to provide the earliest detection of risk; the most sensitive will see as little as a single spark. GreCon recently launched the DLD 1/9 detector which provides optimal detection performance for all ignition sources in any environment. Â
Intelligent Detection Technology is used to distinguish between dangerous sparks and harmless ambient light and to prevent false alarms. Hot particle detection in processes with temperatures up to 150 °C is possible and sensitivity is adjustable for the perfect fit to the individual threat, allowing appropriate levels of safety plans and mitigatory actions to be automatically triggered.
The most effective places to detect sparks are when material is in free-fall, such as in drop-chutes or transport areas. They are also easily detected in extraction ducts.
However, the use of appropriate infrared spectroscopy can also allow hot particles and embers to be detected when material is more compacted, such as on conveying equipment.
Swift initiation of extinguishment is a vital component to implementing an appropriate fire prevention solution in biomass facilities. Extinguishers are most effectively installed when considering the speed of material transport in relation to the reaction time following a detection event.
In these instances, ignition sources are extinguished in milliseconds, before they can proceed further through the process and cause a fire or explosion.
With a track record spanning 28 years, GreCon has provided engineered fire protection solutions to businesses across the UK & Ireland. The company offers turnkey solutions and a comprehensive in-house service, delivered by a UK based network of engineers. GreCon has the knowledge, experience and product portfolio to make them your dependable fire protection partner.
GreCon Limited
0191 4147200
sales@grecon.co.uk
www.grecon.co.uk
