Fire protection as a competitive advantage

Recycling industry finds out at Recycling-Technik in Dortmund

The rapidly growing industry of recyclable material processing finds itself confronted by a high level of fire risk. People, environment and companies are regularly threatened by large fires. Many business operations are now upgrading and in doing so are attaching importance to a comprehensive fire protection concept. On 07-08/11 at Recycling-Technik in Dortmund, Minimax is showing what such a concept should look like (hall 7, stand T26). 

Delivery and storage areas - detecting hot spots

There is a risk in these areas that stored substances will auto-ignite. Here, internal areas are particularly at risk, since dust can create an explosive atmosphere. In order to detect potential ignition hazards in good time, the recyclable material storage areas are constantly monitored. Thermography systems with infra-red cameras are used for this wide-area early detection of fire. They detect objects by their radiative heat transfer and spot critical temperature developments. If there is a threat of ignition, a signal is transmitted to the connected fire detection control panel. Extinguishing monitors are aimed at the target manually or via remote control. They provide effective fighting of the so-called hot spot via water enhanced with film-forming foam compound. Active smoke aspiration systems and industrial flame detectors provide extra security in internal areas. They can also cope with particularly tough environmental conditions and dependably detect potential fires. Their signals are sent to a fire detection control panel which evaluates them and in an emergency activates automatic extinguishing by a deluge system.

Mechanical conveyor systems - safety in motion

During the sorting process, recycling materials are continually transported via conveyor belt systems. This means multi-faceted risks: overheated roller bearings, sparks which may occur during maintenance- or welding work, or auto-ignition of the material to be conveyed. The combined installation of industrial flame detectors and multi-sensor combustion gas detectors is a proven fire-safety measure for dependable and early detection of a fire. Minifog ProCon water mist systems are a particularly efficient solution for direct fire fighting. After a fire has been detected, the section of the conveyor belt is extinguished and operation can be continued without major downtime. The crucial advantage of this extinguishing system compared with conventional water spray systems is the significantly lower use of extinguishing water.

Pneumatic suction and conveyor systems - no opportunity for sparks

Wherever flammable materials are pneumatically transported, there is an increased risk of fire. This applies particularly to the material mix in pneumatic suction and conveyor systems in the recycling process. Sparks, hot particles or glowing embers in the processing machinery which arrive in the delivery systems have risk potential. Dust explosions are also possible. Functionally monitored spark detectors which react to infrared radiation of potential sources of ignition flying past, ensure dependable and above all immediate detection. If the spark detectors identify potential sources of ignition in the materials being conveyed, a signal is sent to the control panel. This unit then activates the automatic extinguisher solenoid valve in milliseconds. The extinguishing water is released and introduced into the volumetric flow via self-closing nozzles. The glowing particles fly into the water mist formed by the nozzle. Particularly innovative spark detectors, such as the UniVario YMX5000 detector range, themselves monitor their optical system with regard to dirt or damage at regular intervals. Functions such as these increase operational safety in the challenging areas of application in a recycling facility.

For an integrated fire protection concept however, all areas of a recycling complex must be thought of. For this reason separation and crushing facilities, agglomeration presses or even ancillary areas such as server or control rooms and office buildings must also be taken into consideration.

We look forward to welcoming you to our stand, T26 in hall 7 at Recycling-Technik in Dortmund.