Spark Detection System

Fire & Explosions 

Every year, people are injured and even killed as a result of industrial fires and dust explosions. Process industries worldwide lose millions per year in damages and production interruptions due to fire or dust explosions.

As opposed to taking action after the event of a fire or dust explosion, it is also possible to implement proactive measures to prevent a fire or explosion to occur in the first place. Intelligent process design and proper housekeeping are examples of vital measures. The installation of a Firefly spark detection system is another.

The Principle of Spark Detection

A spark detection system consists of a detector that identifies dangerous particles (ignition sources) in process flows. Once a particle is detected, it is within milliseconds automatically extinguished before it can create a fire or a dust explosion. The detection and extinguishing functionalities are controlled by a control unit. This proactive way of eliminating ignition sources is why Firefly spark detection systems are called ‘preventive systems’.

The installation of a Firefly spark detection system can save the industry from costly fires and dust explosions. By combining unique and patented technology with 40 years of experience in the process industry, Firefly offers premium safety solutions that minimise false alarms and keep the industries in production.

Risk Assessment

Scientific research shows at which temperatures and energy levels different combustible materials can ignite. To be considered adequate, a spark detection system should detect ignition sources at these levels.

Ignition Temperatures & Energies

Different materials have different minimum ignition temperatures (MIT) and different minimum ignition energies (MIE). Only when both the MIT and MIE levels are met or exceeded, ignition can take place. The expression ‘spark detection systems’ may be misleading; one would believe that sparks are the only cause of industrial fires and explosions. An impact spark can have a very high temperature; it can very well be 1000°C. But, an impact spark normally contains a very low amount of energy and is therefore not likely to cause an ignition. In many cases, a piece of overheated material from the process most often contains more energy. This overheated material is therefore much more likely to cause an ignition compared to an impact spark.

Hot Black Particles 

A hot particle will emit light, visible to the human eye when it has a temperature of about 700°C or more*. All particles below this temperature are perceived by the human eye as ‘black’ particles. As previously shown, most combustible materials can ignite at much lower temperatures than 700°C. Note that many fire problems in industrial processes are friction-related, i.e. initially creating hot black particles and not visible sparks.

Detection

All Firefly detectors are insensitive to daylight. Besides detecting down to the relevant temperature and energy levels, avoiding false alarms is a crucial aspect in the detection functionality of a spark detection system. Because each daylight detection results in the injection of unnecessary water into the process, secondary losses and often also costly production downtime are the unwanted results.

By detecting down to the relevant minimum ignition temperature and energy for different combustible material, and being insensitive to daylight, a Firefly spark detection system offers a premium detection functionality which is unrivalled on the market.