Spark Detection And Extinguishing Solution for Biomass Steam Power Plant

When a major European distiller invested in a modern Bio-Energy steam power plant for their facility, they turned to Atexon® Oy, the innovative specialists in spark detection and extinguishing systems to provide a fully integrated solution to detect ignition sources from hot particles within the new plant with the aim of eliminating or mitigating the costly consequences of any resulting fires or explosions within the material handling and process lines.

In view of the combustible nature of the biofuels in use, it was essential to safeguard the plant against the potentially disastrous effects of dust explosions, fire accidents and overheating of components that could lead to production downtime, machine failures, and property losses, at the same time as enhancing safety for the employees and protection of the wider environment.

Such fires and explosions could arise from a variety of ignition sources such as mechanical failure, entrained abrasive material, frictional heat generation, static electricity, impurities within the process material as well as self-ignition (chemical reaction or microbiological decay). To address these ever-present ignition risks, Atexon® was consulted at an early stage to propose an overall solution to monitor the process lines within the three main areas of the plant – the fuel receiving station, the screening station and the boiler house, as well as two fuel storage silos.

Conventional spark detection of materials moving inside closed de-dusting/dust extraction systems is a well-established method. Sensors typically operating in the Near Infra-Red (NIR) range offer good sensitivity to sparks through multiple material layers, although they cannot detect hot particles at high temperatures.

Alternatively, sensors operating in the Infra-Red (IR) range can detect hot particles (250-400°C) but have poor sensitivity through material layers.

Using advanced electronics, Atexon®’s patented and ATEX compliant V300EX detector operates both in the NIR and IR range to offer a wide detection spectrum for all types of hot particle ignition sources, whether they emit visible or invisible light. Furthermore, the V300EX has an extra wide field of view (up to 180°) when compared to conventional sensors (up to 110°) leading to a fourfold increase in sensitivity when installed in ducting or chutes, providing a major reduction in “blind spots”.