In dangerous business enterprises, safety is not just a priority but a necessity. You know explosive vapors, combustible dust, and unstable chemicals always pose threats, requiring sophisticated ventilation and cooling systems. HVAC and ventilation systems are specially designed to avert the risk of ignition while managing ventilation and temperature effectively. In this blog, we will discuss explosion-proof ventilation systems, covering their basics, working principles, components, when to use these explosion-proof equipments, and many more. So, just keep reading!
Figure no 1 Ex Ventilation system
1) What is an explosion-proof Ventilation System?
Explosive Proof Ventilation System refers to a specially designed system for managing and extracting hazardous combustion gases, vapors, or dust that work as an explosive risk. They are primary articles for oil and gas industries, maritime or inland waters drilling, chemical processing industries, and mining machinery where flammable materials exist.
The primary function of these systems is to eliminate ignition risk for combustible materials. This is done by employing components that are certified to prevent sparks, flames, or any other body with the potential of setting fire to the desired object. For example, non-sparking, explosion-proof motors and fans are manufactured from sparking-resistant materials with non-sparking fan blades and motor housings.
Figure no 2 Explosion proof fans
In addition, they do not allow explosive fumes or dust into the motor and electrical parts, further lowering the likelihood of ignition. Routine servicing and checks are important so that all parts do their jobs properly and the system works within safe parameters. So, it is key to implement explosion-proof ventilation systems for safety in physically hazardous areas.
2) How Explosion-Proof Ventilation Works
Explosion-proof ventilation systems are used in locations at high risk of gas fires or vapor explosions, such as chemical plants, oil refineries, and manufacturing industries.
Figure no 3 Ventilation system working
- Operational Mechanisms:
The explosion-proof electrical equipment works by diluting and removing the harmful substances in the air by perpetually replacing the air in the facility. Adequate ventilation and filtration are vital to prevent an accumulation of particulates, and positive pressure ventilation minimizes the likelihood of hazardous materials entering the system and igniting the explosive mixture. Dust build-up from air can damage sensitive equipment, posters, and other devices, so HEPA or ULPA filters must be integrated to capture even the finest particles.
Routine system inspections as well as checks to monitor and replace filters, are necessary to allow safe system functionality.
3) Components of an Explosion-Proof Ventilation System
An explosion-proof ventilation system works in venues that are susceptible to flammable gases, vapors, or dust. For safe operation, these systems have components that prevent ignition sources.
- Key Components:
i) Explosion-Proof Fans and Blowers: These are manufactured from non-sparking materials that would not ignite from an explosion.
ii) Explosion-Proof Motors: These are motors that are sealed to the environment, meaning that an internal spark would never interact with outdoor hazardous atmospheres. This leaves little opportunity for igniting any flammable substances in the surrounding areas.
iii) Ductwork: Ducts have to be designed properly to allow a safe passage of air. Non-hazardous inlet ducts are preferable, while exhaust ducts are preferable in more dangerous areas.
iv) Non-Return Valves: These devices help prevent the chances of an explosion propagating back into the production area. If combustion occurs, they enable the shock wave to be blocked, allowing the explosion to vent through designated panels.
v) Diverters in Explosions: Located between the filter and the work area, explosion diverters shift the direction of the flow path in an explosion, relieving it to a safe area while preventing the spread of flames.
vi) Dampers in Fire: Central ducts contain fire dampers that restrict and compartmentalize the airflow from diffusions of several production departments. During a fire outbreak, they restrict the spread of flames by isolating affected areas.
vii) Systems for the Suppression of Explosions: These systems release suppression agents when they detect an explosion underway in the early stages. Any built-up pressure that is likely to lead to deflagration is prevented from building up.
So, integrating these elements into an explosion-proof ventilation system is critical in ensuring the safety of personnel and equipment in dangerous environments. To ensure optimal performance, regular maintenance and following safety procedures are a must.
4) When to Use Explosion-Proof Industrial Fans
These appliances are inevitable in sites that have gases or substances that can burn or explode due to the activities taking place. They enhance safety by removing sources of ignition that can result in fire outbreaks or explosions.
Figure no 4 When to use explosion proof fans
- Explosion-proof Fan Situations: Flammable Gases or Vapors: Oil refineries, petrochemical plants, and even fuel storage facilities are considered volatile sites. These places require the use of explosion-proof fans in order to avert the ignition of flammable gases or vapors.
- Accumulation of Combustible Dust: Environments such as grain silos, food manufacturing facilities, and pharmaceutical factories can produce combustible dust. Dust explosions are preventable through the use of ventilation through the installation of explosion-proof fans.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Areas like paint booths, areas where solvent is stored, and even chemical manufacturing plants may have high concentrations of VOCs. These environments are best ventilated by explosion-proof fans, which have been proven to reduce risks of fire hazards and ensure safety.
- Confined Spaces with Hazardous Gases: Dangerous gases may build up in confined spaces such as on marine vessels, in some underground mining operations, and in some ammunition storage facilities. In such areas, ensuring adequate ventilation is crucial and must include the removal of hazardous gases.
With regard to compliance with industry regulations and safety protocols, the use of explosion-proof industrial fans in these cases is crucial. Sounds relaxing! These fans do not ignite the surrounding flammable gases, therefore ensuring the safety of the personnel on site and the property.
Indu Pandit shared his views about explosion-proof types of equipment and how these equipment can really prevent mishaps. He further said that many countries have approached standardization and testing required for sensitive areas.
5) When to Use Explosion-Proof Air Conditioners
Explosive-proof air conditioning is particularly useful in places filled with vapours, flammable dust, and gases since they are dangerous sources of ignition.
Scenarios Justifying the Use of Explosion-proof Air Conditioners
i) Temperature-Sensitive Hazardous Materials: Facilities that deal with storing ammunition, producing pharmaceuticals, and moderating Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) hold potentially explosive materials. Explosion-proof air conditioners are critical for these climates because the degree of precision that needs to be maintained to ensure materials do not destabilize or get degraded is very high.
ii) Extreme Heat Increasing Ignition Risk: Explosively sensitive materials which are temperature controlled are stored in certain facilities such as fabricating syringes and electrical batteries. Also, maintaining high-precision climate moderation is indispensable.
iii) Presence of Flammable Vapors in Climate-Controlled Rooms: Industries such as underground mining, petrochemical plants, and control of industrial operations may make use of rooms that have the possibility of having flammable vapours within them. The use of explosion-proof air conditioners makes it efficient to ensure that these vapors do not combust within climate-controlled rooms.
iv) Personnel Cooling in Hazardous Locations: Employees from marine ships, chemical plant operations, and high-risk manufacturing areas often work in dangerous environments where air conditioning can be a safety hazard. The use of air conditioners that are explosion-proof permits the cooling of personnel, thereby improving comfort without compromising on safety.
Well, we can say that the use of explosion-proof air conditioning systems in these situations is critical for safety and meeting industry explosion-proof requirements. With these unique systems, personnel and property are safeguarded as they function in environments containing flammable materials and, therefore, require no ignition.
6) Hexlon Explosion-Proof Ventilation System Advantages
The Hexlon explosion-proof ventilation systems are specialized to provide safety and effectiveness in harmful conditions. Hexlon explosion-proof ventilation can prove best for you due to the reasons below;
+ Diverse products under one brand: Hexlon designs and manufactures a variety of products like air conditioners, exhaust fans, and axial flow fans, which makes it easier to meet many industrial ventilation needs.
+ Global certifications: The company’s products feature international certifications like ATEX and IECEx, CCC and CCCF, which confirm the safety and reliability of the explosion-proof equipment.
+ Extensive experience: The company exports products to over 50 countries and services many industries such as oil, petrochemical, chemical, and electric power businesses, demonstrating extensive experience of Hexlon of 17 years in hazardous environment solutions.
+ Tailor-made products: Hexlon offers OEM and ODM services, allowing specific product requests while guaranteeing coverage with international safety standards.
- Let’s discuss the some ventilation components of HExlon one by one;
a) BT35 Series Explosion-proof Axial Flow Fan
Figure no 5 BT35 Series Explosion-proof Axial Flow Fan
With the BT35 Series, you can expect optimal ventilation even in highly hazardous environments. It has the following important features:
- Certified in China Ex(GB) regulations.
- Recommended for Zones 1 and 2 hazardous areas.
- Made with durable and safe materials, it features fan blades and a robust motor that is explosion-proof.
b) BFS Series explosion-proof Exhaust Fan
Figure no 6 BFS Series explosion-proof Exhaust Fan
The BFS Series is specially designed to tackle hazardous fume extraction in industrial settings. Its specifications are:
- Follows China Ex(GB) regulations.
- Recommended for Zones 1 and 2 hazardous areas.
- Degree of protection as IP54
- Incorporates an explosion-proof motor, durable blades, and a metal frame. Accompanied by a shutter and vibration-damping device for a lower noise level during operation.
c) BFS-F Series Square Model of explosion proof Exhaust Fan
Figure no 7 Square model explosion proof Fan
This model can be fitted into a square aperture for certain installation configurations. Specifications include:
- Certified in China Ex(GB) regulations.
- Application Areas: Recommended for Zones 1 and 2 hazardous areas.
- It is made of steel and aluminium alloy and is powder-coated
- IP rating as IP54
d) BK□R- Series explosion proof Air Conditioners
Figure no 8 Explosion-proof Air conditioner
These units function in settings that are extremely hazardous. Their important features include:
- Available in two types: Slip type and cabinet type
- Adheres to China Ex(GB) regulations.
- Capable of cooling only as well as cooling with heating.
- Provides options for manual and autonomic controls.
Visit the web pages of Hexlon for further details on the products, as they are more than informative.
7) FAQ
1. What is an explosion-proof HVAC?
These are standard heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units that can sustain ignition in a hostile environment where the presence of vapors, dust, or flammable gas exists.
2. How does an explosion vent work?
In industrial equipment, an explosion vent is a safety measure or feature that breaks apart on a predetermined pressure to allow the escape of gasses that might cause a blast.
3. What are the different types of explosion vents?
For dealing with the requirements of pressure relief, explosion vents are available in many shapes, such as round, square, rectangular, and domed, for set industrial applications.
