Chemical Suppression / Chemical Isolation

A chemical suppression system is a explosion protection method which acts by preventing these from occurring inside equipment containing combustible dust. It prevents the explosion from spreading to other equipment.

Its operation is based on the continuous monitoring of a physical variable (pressure or infrared radiation) that indicates an incipient explosion inside a device. In this case, the detector instantly activates the injection of a chemical agent to suppress the explosion, preventing the explosion from developing and creating high pressures inside devices that have not been designed to withstand them. This protection extends its influence to the personnel working in these areas.

It works in 3 stages:

1) Incipient explosion detection: by means of pressure or flame formation detectors.

2) Initiation: The detector signal is sent to an electronic control system, which processes it and, if appropriate, initiates the sequence for opening the extinguishing agent container.

3) Chemical explosion suppression by discharging the extinguishing agent (powdered sodium bicarbonate), which is inert and compatible with human consumption. 

Suppression systems are installed to prevent explosions in equipment where the formation of dust clouds that can create an explosive atmosphere is inevitable: mills, mixers, conveyor belts, silos, hoppers, bucket elevators, pneumatic conveyors, filters, cyclones and fluid bed dryers, etc. 

Characteristic parameters:

• Extremely fast response.
• Possible dual activation of the controller for failure prevention.
• Pressure gauge indicating pressure.
• Low pressure indicator pressure switch option.

Technical data:

• Extinguishing agent: sodium bicarbonate
• Combustible product: dust up to kSt ≤ 250 bar m/s
• ATEX marking: Ex D
• ATEX certified: according to EN 14373:2005

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