Overview
Dust from grain-based feed products presents significant flammability and explosion risks to plant and personnel
The Challenge
Processing of grain, grain-based products, and food additives can create potentially explosive dust concentrations.
Dust flammability varies depending on material type, particle size, and particle concentration. Flammable dust from material types such as corn flour, sugar, malt, milk powder, and soybean flour have moderate Kst values (a measure of explosive potential, quantified in bar·m/s), creating weaker explosions. Others, such as barley grain and rice and corn starch, have high Kst values and can create strong explosions. These risks are laid out in both OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910 and NFPA’s 660 Standard. Risk to both plant and personnel can be high, even at lower Kst values, with notable mill disasters over the last quarter century attributed to fuel-air explosions caused by flammable dust.
The Solution
Hi-Vac Industrial’s powerful vacuum systems remove dust and debris quickly, with available standard motors up to 75HP and positive displacement blowers up to 18” HG and 1,800 CFM. When attached to a custom-configured manifold system, waste can be moved up to 500’ within your mill.
The 800 Series family, in particular, is purpose-built to capture the finest fugitive dust without clogging, due to its automatic reverse air pulse filter cartridge cleaning system.
All Hi-Vac Industrial vacuums can be equipped with a wide range of flammable and explosion-proof options, including grounding, electrical isolation, flameless relief vents, active fire suppression, and isolation valves. These systems are configured to accommodate your specific materials, even when the powerhead needs to be situated indoors.
The Results
- Fast waste removal: the power to quickly clean up accumulated waste, so your team can get back to work
- Available collection for reuse: bulk storage bag compatible Stationary and Hybrid Frame offerings
- Safe flammable dust containment: a catalog of flammable and explosion-proof options to fit your specific material properties
Note
Vacuum equipment must always be operated by a properly trained and competent worker, following all safe work practices and documented procedures for this type of equipment
