ELEVEX – explosion protection of bucket elevators

Due to the design features, the vertical conveyors for free-flowing materials are characteristic to create favourable conditions for the explosion of a dust-air mixture. They contain a closed volume, combustible dust in suspension and a number of possible sources of ignition.

The most common sources of ignition in bucket elevators are:

Sparks when buckets collide with body
Sparks from the electric motor
Friction heated surfaces
Smoldering particles entering through the transport system
Bearings overheating

Product description

An explosion in bucket elevator not equipped with explosion protection can lead to the destruction of equipment and injury to personnel. As a result, significant investments and long downtime will be required to restore production.

It is impossible to completely exclude the possibility of an explosion in bucket elevators, but the ELEVEX explosion protection system reduces the consequences of such an accident to a minimum. Effective reduction of explosion pressure and isolation within the elevator ensure the safety of personnel and the safety of process equipment in the event of this accident.

The advantages of the system are the ability to install on existing equipment as part of its update and the flexibility of choosing explosion protection devices depending on the budget and the wishes of the customer.

ELEVEX system variants

Explosion suppression

It is the most common method of explosion protection for bucket elevators, which guarantees the safety of the elevator and the safety of personnel in the event of an explosion.

Components:

Explosion detectors
Explosion isolation devices on the inlet and outlet pipelines
Explosion suppression on the head end and boot end of the elevator

HRD-system

HRD-barrier

Advantages:

Effectively reduces the explosion pressure, which guarantees the safety of equipment and the safety of employees in the event of an accident
Explosion products are contained within the confines of equipment
Minimal interventions in the elevator design during installation
Applicable for outdoor and indoor sites

Explosion venting

Explosion venting panels open under excess pressure and release the products of the explosion into a safe zone without harm to equipment and personnel.
A feature of this variant is the possibility of using it only in open areas, or using explosion venting channels, since excess pressure and explosion products are released through explosion venting panels directly into the surrounding space and can lead to repeated explosions and injury to personnel.

Components: