Industrial Drying Fire & Explosion Protection

Did you know that since 2020, the industrial drying process (including spray dyers and fluid bed dryers) accounts for nearly 20 percent of all combustible dust-related fires and explosions? Learn more about the hazardous areas throughout the drying process and Fike’s recommended solutions to ensure business continuity and safety from these potentially devastating incidents.

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Carbon Monoxide Monitoring in Spray Dryers

Oftentimes, the best method of explosion protection is to ensure a deflagration doesn’t occur at all. As part of Fike’s comprehensive explosion protection solutions, we always seek methods to reduce the risk of combustion.

One such risk within spray dryers is the process conditions that cause product to coagulate and form clumps, which then have a tendency to smolder due to their exposure to intense heat. This smoldering product may then catch fire and ignite the dust cloud within the spray dryer.

That’s why Fike has proudly partnered with Hobre to include the BICOSYS CO Detection System as part of our overall explosion protection system for industrial drying processes! This system is specifically designed to identify the very early stages of smoldering, as an increase in CO concentration may be detected more than 30 minutes before a fire occurs.

By identifying the very early stages of smoldering via CO monitoring, the BICOSYS system greatly reduces the risk of ignition and maintenance requirements within spray dryers.

Industrial Drying Hazards & Solutions

Steps to Protect a Drying Process from a Fire or Explosion

Fike global explosion protection consultancy

Let’s be honest – not everyone is an explosion protection expert, and some choose to ignore the problem rather than address it. We here at Fike want you to know that explosions happen far more often than what is reported. If you suspect you have a potential explosion or fire hazard, please contact us. We are here to help, and you can ask us anything with no obligation.

Knowing the combustible properties of the dust handled at your facility is often the first step toward avoiding a devastating dust explosion. Whether you need to identify the explosibility of the dust or have already completed dust testing but are unsure what to do next, Fike offers comprehensive dust testing services, analysis and consultation. Learn more about Fike dust testing

A risk assessment (Dust Hazard Analysis for NFPA and Explosion Protection Document for ATEX) is required to identify where combustible dust hazards exist, develop preventative strategies to reduce the risk of combustion, determine where explosion protection may be needed, and create an action plan. Learn more about Fike’s global DHA/EPD services

fike consultancy for explosion prevention

During the walkthrough of a risk assessment, your Fike expert will help identify methods of reducing the risk of combustion, many of which cost nothing such as simply improving housekeeping and dust control. Additionally, the expert will strategize methods of reducing or even removing potential ignition sources such as hot surfaces, sparks, etc.

If explosion protection is required, Fike’s system design team will use the data from the dust tests and risk assessment to develop a reliable protection strategy unique to your process. Engineered, manufactured, tested and validated on-site, our explosion protection systems offer the highest degree of quality possible for which the Fike name is known. Learn more here

To ensure your Fike explosion protection system works as designed, our global network of technicians can quickly and reliably perform any installation, commissioning and maintenance services you may need. And if you’re in a pinch, our team is available 24/7 for emergency situations as well.