¦POWER Snuffing Sparks The best method of tackling an issue is to address it before it happens. With that kind of foresight, modern biomass power plants turn to spark detection and extinguishing systems to prevent tiny embers from becoming larger problems. “These hot particles and sparks can cause a problem at any time and you will never know it until it is too late,” says Terry Franklin, technical sales director at GreCon. “It’s better to be safe and have a system that can spot the troubles and react to it.”
The greatest potential for spark-initiated fires could come from older operations with complacent safety practices. In older plants, personnel may feel somewhat invincible since their processes have not experienced an incident involving fires caused by sparks. “When developers are building a new plant, a new bag house, or [installing] new equipment, they are forced to look at installing the technology from the beginning, or they won’t be able to get their permit,” Franklin explains. GreCon’s spark detection and extinguishing technology are implemented in
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pneumatic conveying systems. Some of the biggest problem areas for sparks within a biomass power plant are the feedstock dryer exits, collectors and storage bins, Franklin says. There is also greater potential for sparks to transfer from pulverizers and grinders to storage bins, he adds. “It’s the sparks that come off the grinding and heating processes, drag chains or conveyers. It’s the things that can cause the material to heat up and combust.” On mechanical conveying systems, the technology is best implemented in a drop chute to allow the sensors to examine the material as it falls through the air, but it is primarily installed on pneumatic conveyance systems, Franklin says. In a pneumatic pipeline, GreCon’s sensors search for the infrared heat, a telltale sign of sparks. “Our light field detectors can detect a spark from quite a ways away,” he says. In one-third of a second, sensors can signal an extinguishing device to inject atomized water into the process, snuffing out any potentially dangerous sparks. Typically, the material whips through a pneumatic transfer line at roughly 4,000 feet per minute, Franklin says. “You have to figure out what the velocity is, and we can do our calculations to determine where the valve needs to be installed,” he explains. “At 4,000 feet per minute, you would install the valve 20 feet down the line past the sensor. Then the valve fires the water before the sparks get there and the spark is driven through the atomized water.” User-friendly and faster response are the words to describe the next generation of spark detection and extinguishing. GreCon updated its technology within the past seven years to include multi-microprocessor controller modules and last year with multi-touch screen capability allowing for easier operations. Additionally, the system is able to remember factors, such as alarms, spark counts and reactions, within milliseconds to allow efficient data collection. Additionally, GreCon ensures the spark detection systems are Factory Mutual Approved. Although spark detection and extinguishing technology tackles some of the main causes that can lead to fires and explosions, those instances can still occur