Production machines, dryers, mills, sanders, ovens, grinders, buffers, furnaces and shot blasting are all sources of sparks which can cause fires and explosions in dust collection systems.
Specifically designed for pneumatic conveying and exhaust systems. GreCon Spark Detection and Extinguishment Systems are installed in these and other high risk locations. Protecting anywhere sparks are generated to effectively eliminate the risk of conveying hazardous air flow to the filter media or storage silos.
Over 50,000 successful applications of the GreCon System can be found in a wide range of industries including: Wood, Processing, Biomass & Bioenergy, Chemical, Foundry, Food, Tobacco, Agricultural, Feed & Grain, Rubber, and Nonwovens - to name just a few.
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The applications listed below are for example only. Qualified personnel must design suitable pneumatic conveying, electrical, and plumbing systems to local regulations, plant equipment and requirements. The drawings shown below may not meet the needs of all facilities, but these drawings demonstrate how spark detection systems can be used in similar applications with the appropriate design.
Two Zone - Dust Collector Inlet and Return Air Application Example
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The dust collector inlet and return air application example has two zones. Zone One has spark detect and extinguish prior to the dust collector inlet. Zone Two has spark detect to activate the abort gate after the collector and before the air returns into the building.
This drawing displays a water pressure booster pump. The booster pump is recommended for locations that do not have adequate water pressure or volume. Depending on your local water supply conditions the booster pump may not be needed.
Zone One sensors will detect sparks and signal the control console. The console immediately activates the extinguishing devices and records the event. A fine mist of water spray is produced to extinguish the sparks or embers. The control console confirms and records the water flow indication at the extinguishing devices via the flow switch.
The control console will activate the spark alarm lamp and/or horn.
Depending on the duration of the spark activity, the control console either continues extinguishing or closes the valve a specific amount of time after spark activity stops. Although firmware defaulted at 5 seconds, the extinguishing time is programmable to allow for local equipment and conditions.
Zone Two sensors will detect sparks and signal the control console. The console immediately activates the abort gate and records the event. The abort gate opens and the hazardous air is diverted to the atmosphere, out of the return air duct and thereby preventing these hazards from entering the building.
Dust Collector Deluge Application Example
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The baghouse deluge example is, in this case, a single zone with two spark sensors, deluge assembly, and a nozzle assembly. The sensors are mounted to either baghouse inlet or outlet. When sensors are mounted to the inlet, the system will deluge the baghouse when sparks enter. When sensors are mounted to the baghouses outlet, the clean air side of the dust collection system, small sparks can be easily detected. If the filter media is starting to burn, the sensors will pick up sparks from the outlet quickly.
The deluge assembly consists of, Y-strainer, and the deluge valve. Since the cell plate and the equipment above it are expensive parts of a baghouse, the nozzle assembly is mounted on top of the baghouse.
When there is a baghouse fire, the sensors detect the sparks in the outlet pipe and signal the control console. The control console triggers the activation of the deluge valve and records the event. The deluge valve opens and the nozzles spray an overlapping shower of water keeping the cell plate and equipment above cool while the water flows through the filters and down into the hopper to extinguish the fire.
For after hours, weekends, and holidays, when the dust collection system is shutdown, residual material may be left inside the baghouse and may ignite into a fire. The heat sensor monitors the baghouse for a rise in temperature that would indicate smouldering embers or a fire starting in the hopper of the baghouse.