Explosion suppression

Explosion suppression systems prevent a dust explosion from developing into a full-grown explosion. 

This is done by detecting the onset of an explosion event very fast - within 10 milliseconds - and quickly injecting suppressant powder to suppress the explosion. The suppressant powder quenches the combustion reaction.

FLASH EXPLOSION SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS

StuvEx’ explosion suppression systems are marketed under the brand name Flash™ since the 90s.

Flash™ explosion suppression systems have been designed to detect and suppress dust explosions in an initial stage by injecting suppressant powder into the vessel. Flash™ explosion systems have been tested and ATEX certified, meet SIL 2 safety integrity levels and are compliant with EN 14373:2005 and EN 15089:2009 standards.

A Flash explosion protection system is modular in design and consist of three major building blocks:

  • One or more explosion detectors for the rapid detection of increasing pressure or light intensity or a combination of these.
  • A control and indicating unit which forms the heart of the system.
  • A high-rate suppressor bottle that discharges the suppressant powder to quench the explosion.

FEATURES OF FLASH EXPLOSION SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS

  • Not subject to Pressure Equipment Directives
  • Food compliant suppressant powder
  • Easy to install and maintain
  • Robust modular design
  • 20+ years of experience in a wide variety of industries and equipment

EXPLOSION SUPPRESSION APPLICATIONS

In almost all industries that handle organic, combustible solids, present a risk of dust explosions. Examples include the food and feed industry, the chemical and pharmaceutical industry or power plants for electricity generation. Most explosions occur in elevators, filters, and silos. In these cases, explosion suppression can offer a solution to mitigate risks.

DUST EXPLOSIONS

Explosions and fires from combustible powders are a known hazard and they can have devastating and irreversible effects. In many industries and processes it is simply not realistic to avoid an explosive air-dust mixture from forming, milling, drying, pneumatic or mechanical conveying and filtration of solids and fine powders are typical processes presenting a high risk of fire and explosion. 

Dust explosions are extremely fast combustions of dust-in-air mixtures. In closed vessels, dust explosions will result in a very rapid increase of temperature and pressure exceeding the structural limits of vessels and process equipment.