DFI Fike blocking valve, to be mounted in explosion protection systems, when combustible dusts are present.
Fike has developed the DFI valve, to be installed when working with combustible dusts in the food, milling or paper industries. The immediate thing to do in industries that have this risk is venting, which consists of installing equipment such as filters, centrifuges, separators, mills, hoppers or bucket elevators, ventilation panels or vents. The vent panels act as fuses in the event of an explosion. If they were well selected, the vent area that opens is capable of dislodging the fireball and, in a period of nanoseconds, lowering the pressure and preventing the explosion of the equipment. While it is true that this protects, it is very important to understand that fire seeks fuel to travel and this is found in enriched atmospheres that are in the ducts that conduct air from the intake points to the equipment. If what you really want is to protect the entire plant, one of the most effective solutions is to isolate.
In order to create total isolation and close the path to the fireball, the most suitable is the Fike DFI valve. Due to its construction and operation, the DFI valve is the best accessory to stop an explosion event. The DFI valve is approved by ATEX and its operation generates tightness in an event where the pressure rises immediately. It can be mounted in horizontal or vertical ducts, it always has a direction of flow that must be respected and it must always be mounted upstream of equipment at risk of explosion. The DFI valve is very versatile and can work with powders that have a high Kst and Pmax.
In conclusion, ideal for industries that work with combustible dusts, and want to protect their plant and human capital; is to do ventilation and insulation. Most likely, after carrying out a DHA (Dust Hazard Analysis) and having determined the risk of each dust that is worked on, the next step is to protect equipment and people; This is where Flexilatina, as Fike’s representative, comes in to generate a design of what is required.
Whenever you think about ventilation and/or insulation, do not hesitate to contact us, we have many applications working optimally and the support of Fike, a pioneer in this type of protection.