Explosion Suppression

Dust explosion accidents around the world kill hundreds and cause billions of dollars in damages each year. However, these dust explosion accidents can be controlled and thereby limit the potential for serious injuries or death, while reducing the damage to expensive process equipment. 


Dust explosions happen during the conveying, processing, pulverizing and storage of a wide range of materials. Materials such as Aluminum, Cellulose, Charcoal, Corn, Floor, Fungicides, Grain, Milk Powders, Pharmaceuticals, Plastics, Resin, Starch, Sugar and others, under the right conditions, can and will explode. To prevent or mitigate a hazardous condition from becoming an explosive event, FENWAL Protection Systems provides a wide range of systems like a dust collector protection system. In a typical Dust Collector application an explosion venting system would contain the following basic components: Explosion Relief Vent Panel, Pressure Detector, Single Zone Control Panel, Isolation Extinguisher and a Rotary Gate Valve.

Isolation & Venting

The Chemical Type Isolation method discharges an explosion suppressant into the duct work to suppress the fireball and prevent it from reaching other plant areas or equipment.

The Mechanical Type Isolation method produces the same results by triggering the release of a high speed knife valve that forms a mechanical barrier in the pipeline.

Both chemical and mechanical isolation is used to help prevent explosions from propagating to unprotected areas. Often combined for detonation containment, these systems are particularly suited to curtailing flame spread in support of explosion vents.

A Fenwal Explosion Vent is a relief device that is designed to rupture at a predetermined pressure to allow the fireball and explosive pressure to vent into a safe area.

Economical to install, these highly efficient vents fit into the walls of a process volume. They are available in a variety of sizes, configurations and materials to ensure fast, reliable operation in an explosion situation. Typically, vents are installed in conjunction with a Fenwal Isolation System.