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The avoidance of ignition sources is one of the three basic measures for explosion protection. To recap, the three basic methods of protection are containment, segregation, and prevention. Explosion containment allows the explosion to occur but confines it to a well-defined area, therefore avoiding the propagation to the surrounding atmosphere. Examples include explosion proof enclosures and motors that contain the explosion in their housing. Segregation attempts to physically separate or isolate the electrical parts or hot surfaces from the explosive mixture, such as pressurisation or encapsulation. Prevention therefore limits the energy, both electrical and thermal, to safe levels under both normal, and fault conditions. The prevention of an explosion through limiting ignition sources is implemented primarily using special, intrinsically safe, explosion-protected equipment. The design of which reduces the potential for the component to contribute as a source of ignition. Non-electrical equipment such as ATEX industrial fans are important components that must be selected correctly according to accurate hazardous area classifications. Mechanically generated sparks or hot friction surfaces resulting from mechanical impacts caused by the rotating and stationary parts meeting for prolonged time periods, are considered in the prevention concept. This aspect is so important that it is stated in UK and EU ATEX legislation. Directives require the safe and effective construction of components in permissible material pairings to reduce this ignition source before they are placed on the market for use in hazardous environments. Whether ignition of explosive gas mixtures can be caused by mechanical impact depends on many parameters. In addition to the materials involved in the impact, the ignition sensitivity of the fuel gases is important. Hydrogen is very sensitive to ignition with a very low MIE of only 0.017mJ, when compared with many other fuel gases such as petrol with a MIE of 0.1mJ. Therefore, Hydrogen is assigned to explosion group IIC in accordance with the low minimum ignition energy. Auto Ignition of Hydrogen The auto ignition temperature of a substance is the lowest temperature at which it will spontaneously ignite without the presence of a flame or spark. Hydrogen has an auto ignition temperature of over 1000 ° F. Hydrogens flammability range is very wide when compared to other fuels but under the optimal combustion condition of 29% hydrogen: air ratio, the energy required to initiate hydrogen combustion is much lower than required by other fuels. There are many origins of ignition in many industries, including energy generation. Due to the low MIE, it is often difficult to determine what may have caused hydrogen to ignition but the below sets out to illustrate a few potential sources. Electrical sources: Electric sparks (e.g. from electrical equipment) Static discharges (e.g. in ungrounded particulate filters) Electric arc (switches, electric motors, portable phones, pagers and radios). Lightning discharge (e.g. lightning strikes near the vent stack) Electrical charge generated by equipment operation (compressors, generators, vehicles and other construction equipment) Electrical short circuits or other electrical equipment Electrified particulates Mechanical sources: Mechanical sparks (from rapidly closing valves) Mechanical impact and/or friction Metal fracture Mechanical vibration and repeated flexing Thermal sources: Hot surfaces (e.g. heating equipment) Open flames Hot jets Exhausts (e.g. combustion engines and exhaust stacks) Explosive charges (e.g. charges used in construction, fireworks or pyrotechnic devices) Catalysts, explosives and reactive chemical materials Shock waves and/or fragments Reflected or repeated acoustic and shock waves To learn more about permissible pairings to prevent ignition sparks from industrial fans, view a previous HazardEx article here. Conclusion In addition to hydrogen detectors, the best and experimentally proven method of hydrogen explosion protection is by means of dilution with a mechanical ventilation system using ATEX explosion proof fans to add additional air, therefore reducing the hydrogen - air ratio and thus eliminating the build-up of concentrated hydrogen in a spatially uniform manner. There have been many case studies that show the effects of switched off ventilation systems or failed exhaust fans that have resulted in a build up of hydrogen gas and ultimately explosions. Many systems operate with fans on run and standby, therefore if one fan fails the other picks up the duty while the broken component is repaired or replaced. Hydrogen is a very small molecule with low viscosity; therefore, it is prone to leakage. Natural ventilation with vents at high levels in confined spaces will allow hydrogen to escape and quickly disperse into atmosphere safely. For more information on how our range of IIC T1 hydrogen compatible industrial fans are suitable for explosive atmospheres contact our team on sales@axair-fans.co.uk or say hello to our technical team on the website chat. Hazardex Net Innovation Award Winners 2023 We are delighted to announce that our range of ATEX fans for IIC hydrogen exhaust have been selected as the winner for the Net Zero Innovation Award as part of the HazardEx Awards 2023 . Axair were recognised for our application knowledge covering a range of renewable technology systems including those of renewable energy generation. Our ATEX certified fans are suitable for IIC gas groups for the safe and effective removal of hydrogen gas. A total of 20 nominations were shortlisted across 4 categories for the awards. Winners were announced at the HazardEx Awards 2022 Conference & Exhibition Gala Dinner on 1st March. Voting from professionals across the hazardous industry closed on 3rd February 2023. Over the last decade, the Hazardex Awards programme has become a benchmark for those supplying products, services and systems within hazardous areas. You can play your part in raising awareness and standards across the sector by entering your vote and encouraging your colleagues to do likewise. Our category is defined as: Net Zero Innovation – Sponsored by Yokogawa UK – An innovation for hazardous environments that helps lower emissions and carbon footprints. Why our product was nominated: As emerging technologies for wind to hydrogen projects ramp up, Axair Fans seen a rise in enquiries regarding hydrogen exhaust for gas group IIC or IIB + hydrogen. In many instances it is necessary to integrate an ATEX fan whilst in some systems Axair can advise of methods of integrating an alternative fan and avoiding the requirement for ATEX certified industrial fan components. The company’s application knowledge covers a range of renewable technology systems including those of renewable energy generation such as wind farms. Axair’s ATEX certified fans are suitable for IIC gas groups for the safe and effective removal of hydrogen gas. The significant contribution of our expert industrial team, their application knowledge and technical assistance in the development of low carbon and newly emerging technologies to assist in the future of green hydrogen generation was recognised by the industry. The use of ATEX fans certified to IIC for use in hydrogen systems is an important consideration in reducing the risk of explosions. Contact our industrial team for more information on ventilation and dilution best practices for Hydrogen gas. For more information, visit: https://www.axair-fans.co.uk/products/atex-certified-fans/ Heat Blower Fan
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