Aspects regarding assessment of protection by control of ignition sources at belt conveyors for bulk materials

摘要

Transportation of granular materials in bulk with the means of conveyor belts rise a series of problems related to the explosion hazard if the materials are flammable and may generate an explosive atmosphere, as many times is the case in industry (Chemical, Sugar, Biomass, Food, Grain and Coal Industries). Every year, many serious fires and explosions occur in industrial plants as a result of flammable dust. Dust explosions lead to considerable material damage and long production shutdowns. This is the reason why when manufacturing and using belt conveyors for bulk materials adequate protective measures must be applied, in order to prevent ignition of the explosive atmosphere and/or limit the effects of possible explosions.