Combustible dust presents a potential explosion hazard at many grain handling and processing facilities around the world. Jeremy Slaunwhite, chief technical officer – explosion safety for Rembe, Inc., highlighted explosion safety options compliant with NFPA standards at the GEAPS Exchange 2023 Innovation Station, Application and Reliability of Combustible Dust Explosion Protection Solutions + Live Explosion Demonstration.
Slaunwhite said secondary dust explosions cause more catastrophic damage and fatalities than primary explosions and explained the difference between the two types.
“A primary explosion, for example, can occur inside an elevator leg, blowing out the legs due to overpressure inside the casing, localized to that piece of equipment,” Slaunwhite said. “With residual dust accumulations present at the elevator, that primary event can then suspended dust, disturb it and with the escaping fireball, you have a secondary explosion.”
This hazard can be managed through the application of explosion prevention and protection solutions, however, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Key considerations to keep in mind while selecting explosion protection equipment include certification, maintenance and reliability, Slauwhite said.
The Innovation Station, held in Kansas City, Missouri, closed with a live explosion demonstration, as well as a demonstration with flameless venting technology, an explosion safety solution offered by Rembe, Inc.
