Method of preventing fires and explosions at oil-operated underground machines and apparatus for carrying out the method

摘要

Serving to prevent fires and explosions at mineral-oil-operated underground machines is a method in which the empty space in the tank above the oil filling is continuously filled with an inert gas while the oxygen is displaced. Even in the event of leakages, a mixture ratio which cannot ignite is thus present between the inert gas and any oil vapours. At the same time, the tank and the adjacent compartments are monitored for temperature and are protected via an extinguishing device, which responds if the temperature exceeds a predetermined level. The entire tank or the entire underground machine is therefore effectively protected in a combined manner. To carry out the method, the tank or its empty space is connected to a gas tank containing an inert gas. The opening valve of this gas tank can be operated via the gas pressure in the empty space or separately by hand. The adjacent compartments are expediently also appropriately protected, specifically by temperature sensors and measuring probes as well as pressure sensors and inert-gas tanks. IMAGE