The Challenge

Dust collector work by separating particulate matter from a flowing air stream.
In most instances, the process involves three stages:

The concentration of flammable dusts in and around filter elements and in the collection chambers is usually above the lower explosion limit. Periodic shaking or reverse jet pulsing produces additional dust clouds that increase the explosion hazard. All that's missing is a source of ignition.

Along with ignition from electrostatic discharge or spontaneous combustion, upstream equipment — sanders, grinders, dryers, milling machines — often provides sparks, flame or smoldering material that is carried into the collector by the air stream, touching off a devastating explosion.

The Solution

A Fenwal Explosion Protection System — consisting of sensitive pressure detectors, high-rate-discharge extinguishers and a control unit — is designed to detect and suppress an explosion in milliseconds. Hundreds of these reliable Fenwal Systems are on duty, protecting dust collectors around the world.

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 to
3.     deliver an explosion suppressant to the protected area...suppressing
4.     the explosion's fireball and preventing flame from moving to
5.     upstream equipment
   3. Control unit provides both alarm outputs and process interlocks