Dust explosions are rare, but when they happen, they can be fatal. In industrial environments like grain elevators, it can be hard to detect when airborne dust reaches levels that can bring about these dangerous incidents. It’s immensely important to keep those levels to a minimum, and using the right rotary shaft seals on mixing and handling equipment is an important step toward doing just that.
How Can Dust Explode?
The airborne dust that accumulates in industrial environments is so fine that when a high enough concentration builds up, any source of ignition can cause it to instantly combust. The result is a chain reaction that spreads so fast, all of the dust effectively ignites at once, creating an explosion.
Sources of ignition are sometimes obvious, like an open flame, but can also include overheated equipment, mechanical sparks, faulty wiring, and even building elements heated by direct sunlight. Controlling all of these potential igniters can be very difficult, which makes limiting the concentration of particles in the air all the more vital.
How to Control the Risk of a Dust Explosion
Seal Away the Dust
It takes a diligent effort to stop explosion hazards at the source. Dust that is fine enough to explode can fit through the smallest gaps, so factory components must be made with tolerances tight enough to prevent hidden openings.
One of the most challenging places to get proper sealing is around rotary shafts. A seal must allow the shaft to move, yet be so tight that tiny particles can’t get past. If a seal has even the smallest gaps, dust will escape the machine, accumulate on the shaft, and permeate the surrounding room over time. This not only presents an explosion hazard but causes premature wear on the shaft and other moving parts.
The solution is to use rotary shaft seals by CinchSeal. They outperform the “packing” variety of seal by using a solid elastomer center that is slightly smaller than the intended shaft. When installed onto the shaft, the compression makes a perfect seal. Rotary shaft seals also include a set of rotators that are compressed against the seal’s stationary parts.
For certain equipment types, CinchSeal offers “split” and high-pressure rotary shaft seals. The CinchSeal team is expertly equipped to work with manufacturers to determine the best sealing solution.
Use Custom Options if Needed
If there aren’t any mass-produced seals for your application, don’t settle for a “second-best” option. Instead, talk to a CinchSeal engineer about custom rotary shaft seals. These are made to the exact specifications needed to keep your operation safe, eliminate unnecessary equipment wear, and prevent product contamination.
About CinchSeal
CinchSeal works constantly to ensure that it always provides the most innovative, cost-effective, and effective solutions for your sealing needs. Whether you choose an off-the-shelf model or have your seals custom made, you can rest assured that your rotary shaft seals will protect your operation.
To learn more about CinchSeal’s solutions for bulk handling equipment, screw conveyors, and the like, contact CinchSeal today.
