The Challenge

Pneumatic conveying systems carry all types and sizes of combustible products, typically with dust or vapor concentration levels sufficient to support combustion. The risk of explosion varies according to product, product concentration and air flow rates.

Although ignition sources such as electrostatic discharge within the ductwork of the conveying system is scarce, these systems tend to transport flames or burning materials generated in other areas of the processing plant. If these ignition sources are allowed to pass uninhibited along the conveying system, an explosion is just waiting to happen.

What is needed is a system capable of detecting and suppressing the ignition source at any point along the route of the pneumatic conveying line.

The Solution

A Fenwal Explosion Protection System offers a cost-effective way to guard against the propagation of a fireball from one process to another.

The Fenwal System utilizes pressure detectors at key points along the conveying route. When an ignition occurs, high-rate-discharge (HRD) extinguishers apply an explosion suppressant to the hazard area, suppressing the explosion and preventing an impending explosion in adjacent equipment.

Reliable Fenwal Systems are specified for protection of conveying systems carrying everything from coal to food products.

The Benefits 

How a Fenwal Explosion Protection System Works:

1. 1. Strategically-placed detectors sense changes in pressure caused by
2.      impending explosion
   2. In 3 to 5 milliseconds, high-rate-discharge (HRD) extinguishers begin
3.      to deliver an explosion suppressant to the protected area...suppressing
4.      the explosion's fireball and preventing flame from moving to upstream
5.      equipment
   3. Control unit provides both alarm outputs and process interlocks