Can you provide details of your overall system requirements..

Previously, we have handled sulphur with a clamshell grab and EOT system.. the amounts are not that much.

Cheers

LSL Tekpro ■

Any sulphur conveyor I have seen, ( and it is probably not that many), usually has a static comb on the clean side of the belt. Not sure if it is to make it clean easier or if it is related to fire issues.

If we were worried about buildup and a fire when handling something like coal, we would consider heat or flame detectors in the chutes, tied into sprinklers or fire extinguishers. Main thing is to shut down the belt so you don't spread the fire. ■

Dear Mr. tgooding,

I have seen few sulphur handling systems in fertiliser plants where material is conveyed by conveyor equipped with travelling tripper. This material is quite common in most of the fertiliser plants. In general it does not require special protection / consideration for sulphur handling. It is the material, which would be difficult to extinguish if it catches fire and the sulphur dioxide will be ruinous for the surrounding people.

Thus, it is combustible material like coal, grains etc. But it is not explosive material. Possibly, better care about the conveyor and installation is necessary. Such as regular inspection of the conveyor and tripper that all idlers are rotating and these should be replaced at reasonably expected time. One has to see that the belt is running reasonably aligned and is not rubbing with stationary structure. Electrical wiring etc should be done properly so that chances of fire due to short circuit etc. is bare minimum. One can install fire or fume detection switches for warning. These measures can be classified as good care for fire prevention.

Regards,

Ishwar G Mulani.

Author of Book : Engineering Science and Application Design for Belt Conveyors.

Author of Book : Belt Feeder Design and Hopper Bin Silo

Advisor / Consultant for Bulk Material Handling System & Issues.

Pune, India.

Tel.: 0091 (0)20 25871916 ■

My references say sulphur dust has a classification of St1, so it IS explosive. ■

Referring to my reply about sulphur, the additional information is as below.

Referring to American literature for material characteristics, following materials are also classified as containing explosive dust :

Wheat cracked

Malt

Oats rolled

Soyabean cracked

Soyabean whole

Rough rice

The sulphur is also classified as containing explosive dust, in the category of above materials. As can be seen, the aforesaid well known materials we never understood as dangerous or explosive. These are only combustible materials. If the air contains the fine particles of above materials in excess of certain proportion, these may catch fire and being practically gaseous (air with suspension particles), the fire will spread quickly and thereby it is mentioned as explosive.

In fact, fine coal bunkers are also referred as air containing explosive dust and certain gas. Therefore, such coal bunkers are always provided with ventilation system changing the air at a very slow pace.

If you read about the history of I C engines, at one stage serious efforts were made for engine working with fine coal dust and air. It was OK but ash and its abrasion was creating problems.

I hope the above information will be of use. In case of doubt, please see the sulphur handling systems at many of the fertiliser plants etc.

For material like coal or sulpur etc., stone box (shelf) for retarding the material velocity should not be utilised because the dead accumulation (storage) is there which is constantly subjected to impact by incoming material and it can cause spontaneous fire. Therefore, the chute work for this type of material are without stone box.

Regards,

Ishwar G Mulani.

Author of Book : Engineering Science and Application Design for Belt Conveyors.

Author of Book : Belt Feeder Design and Hopper Bin Silo

Advisor / Consultant for Bulk Material Handling System & Issues.

Pune, India.

Tel.: 0091 (0)20 25871916 ■

????

Surely it has been well known for many, many years that dust from the above materials is explosive, in some cases this knowledge goes back towards the beginning of the 20th century. Severe damage to property and loss of life has resulted from these explosions. ■

Dear Sir,

Let me share my experience with sulfur handling. I worked on EL-PASSO project handling PRILLED sulfur. It is granuler sulfur.It is very explosive material.I covered the conveyor with all sides & also with Nitrogen. When it is comming from Priller machine, the receiving conveyor was with cooling arrangement. I stored in a Dome. I discussed the system with DOME TECHNOLOGIST, USA & they also stated their experience .

While designing the following to be taken care of.

1.Less generation of dust.

2.No contamination with steel.

3. Very high protection system.

One sholud be very care full about the explosiveness of the material & design the system accordignly.

Regards.

A.Banerjee

NB: The EL-PASSO project was stopped due to that very reason. ■