Dust Explosion Risk Reduction

Dust explosions can occur during elevation of certain bulk materials, particularly in bucket elevators. There are 3 required elements for an explosion to occur:

1. Fuel	In the form of the dust from the material being conveyed
2. Oxygen	Present if sufficient air is in the elevator
3. Ignition	Sparks from a broken bucket or an overheated bearing

Dust Explosion Risk Reduction, Bucket elevator vs. OLDS ELEVATORS™

Bucket elevators routinely operate in conditions where Nos. 1 and 2 are constantly present. Only the condition of the bearings, buckets, belts or chains determine if and when No. 3 will be introduced.

OLDS ELEVATORS™ operate in a "flooded" mode where the rotating casing and screw are filled with the material being conveyed. There is insufficient oxygen in the system to support combustion in the unlikely event that a spark should occur.

Refer to technical publication "Developments in Bulk Material Elevation Technology" by Wypych, Olds and McIntosh, September 2007.

Bucket Elevators, Elevator Conveyor, Mobile Units, Vertical Conveyors, Pneumatic Conveying System, Screw Conveying Systems, Bulk Material Handling Systems, Bulk Solid Feeders,
Gravimetric Feeder, Volumetric Feeders, Materials Handled, Dust Explosion Prevention, Engineering, Performance Features, Standard Configurations, Test Laboratory