An effective Spark detection system must monitor all potential paths of a spark or ember through all branches of ducts and once a spark or ember is detected, it must establish a curtain of water through which the spark must pass. Each main duct system is considered a protection zone. If your dust collector has a single main duct, then only one zone is required.
The air in the ducts is travelling at a very great rate of speed and therefore carries a spark or ember very rapidly. Air transport speeds of 6000 ft/min. are not uncommon which means a spark can be carried 100 feet in one second. Detecting the spark, turning on the water and establishing a spray curtain across the entire duct can take as much .288 seconds or .0048 minutes. If the spark is travelling a 100 feet per second, we will therefore require the detector to be placed at least 28.8 feet ahead of the water spray nozzle since that is how far the spark will travel in .288 seconds. If there is insufficient length available on the main duct, detectors can be placed on the branch lines or the main duct must be extended.
The air velocity must be greater than 500 feet per minute and less than 10,000 feet per minute to ensure proper operation and detection. The air velocity is generally known prior to installation but Hansentek highly recommends that the air velocity be measured and confirmed prior to installation. If the air velocity is not known, you can simply calculate the velocity based on the dust collector capacity and the size of the duct (area of a cross section of the duct).
The diameter of a circular duct can be calculated by dividing the circumference by p which is the equivalent of 3.1416. The following table provides the area in feet of a cross section of various size ducts. If you are not sure of the duct size, you can measure the circumference and use that column of the table:
DUCT SIZE
DUCT CIRCUMFERENCE
AREA (SQ.FT)
8 inches
25.13 inches
.3491 Square Feet
10 inches
31.42 inches
.5454 Square Feet
12 inches
37.70 inches
.7854 Square Feet
14 inches
43.98 inches
1.069 Square Feet
16 inches
50.26 inches
1.396 Square Feet
18 inches
56.55 inches
1.767 Square Feet
20 inches
62.83 inches
2.182 Square Feet
22 inches
69.11 inches
2.640 Square Feet
24 inches
75.40 inches
3.142 Square Feet
26 inches
81.68 inches
3.687 Square Feet
28 inches
87.96 inches
4.276 Square Feet
30 inches
94.25 inches
4.909 Square Feet
32 inches
100.5 inches
5.585 Square Feet
34 inches
106.8 inches
6.305 Square Feet
36 inches
113.1 inches
7.069 Square Feet
38 inches
119.4 inches
7.876 Square Feet
40 inches
125.7 inches
8.727 Square Feet
42 inches
131.9 inches
9.621 Square Feet
44 inches
138.2 inches
10.56 Square Feet
46 inches
144.5 inches
11.54 Square Feet
48 inches
150.8 inches
12.57 Square Feet
The Hansentek detectors react very quickly to sparks and embers and therefore, the water spray pattern is established very quickly. The most significant delay in entire system is the reaction time of the water solenoid valve and the time it takes for the water spray to provide a curtain across the entire duct. The time it takes for the solenoid valve to open introduces the largest delay. There are a number of factors which effect the solenoid such as water pressure and mechanical variations in the valve itself. Since these factors are variable, we must allow the maximum time in our calculations to ensure the curtain of water is fully developed before the spark arrives.
The various maximum delay factors involved are:
The Total System Reaction time is thus .288 seconds or .0048 minutes.
With a known velocity we simply calculate the distance ahead of the spray for placement of the detectors using the formula:
Distance (Ds) = Total System Reaction Time (Tr) X Velocity (V)
For example, with a velocity of 5000ft per minute, we require the detectors to be placed .0048 X 5000 = 24 Feet ahead of the water spray.
The following table provides various calculated values:
Velocity
Distance (Ds)
3000 ft/min
14.4 feet
3500 ft/min
16.8 feet
4000 ft/min
19.2 feet
4500 ft/min
21.6 feet
5000 ft/min
24 feet
5500 ft/min
26.4 feet
6000 ft/min
28.8 feet
6500 ft/min
31.2 feet
7000 ft/min
33.6 feet
7500 ft/min
36 feet
Detectors should not be located close to branch lines or they will become obscured by dust due to turbulent air flow. Detectors must be placed 2.5 X last branch diameter down stream from that branch (Db).
The number of detectors on any given main duct or branch line is determined by of the duct. Normally round ducts only require two detectors, one on each side of the duct. If the duct diameter is greater than 44’†€™€ €„’€ €€’†€™€ ’‚€€‚’†€™€ €„’‚€ ’†€™€‚€’‚€…€‚’†€™€ €„’€ €€’†€™€‚€ ’†€™€ €„’€€‚€’†€™€‚’‚€€‚’€€‚’†€™€ €„’€ €€’†€™€ ’‚€€‚’†€™€ €„’€€‚€’†€™€‚’€€‚’†€™€ €„’€ €€’†€™€‚€’€€‚’†€™€ €„’‚€€‚’†€™€…’€€‚€’†€™€ €„’€ €€’†€™€ ’‚€€‚’†€™€ €„’‚€ ’†€™€‚€’‚€…€‚’†€™€ €„’€ €€’†€™€…’€€‚€’†€™€ €„’‚€€‚’†€™€…’€€‚’†€™€ €„’€ €€’†€™€ ’‚€€‚’†€™€ €„’€€‚€’†€™€‚’€€‚’†€™€ €„’€ €€’†€™€‚€’€€‚’†€™€ €„’‚€€‚’†€™€…’€€‚, then four detectors are required and situated as shown below. The detectors must be mounted opposite each other in the same vertical plane in order to perform their required sensitivity testing function. NEVER MOUNT A DETECTOR ON THE BOTTOM OF A DUCT.
The number of detectors in a square duct can be determined by using the simple ratio of Height to Width formulas detailed below. Note: MAX DIMENSIONS FOR WIDTH OR HEIGHT ARE 50’†€™€ €„’€ €€’†€™€ ’‚€€‚’†€™€ €„’‚€ ’†€™€‚€’‚€…€‚’†€™€ €„’€ €€’†€™€‚€ ’†€™€ €„’€€‚€’†€™€‚’‚€€‚’€€‚’†€™€ €„’€ €€’†€™€ ’‚€€‚’†€™€ €„’€€‚€’†€™€‚’€€‚’†€™€ €„’€ €€’†€™€‚€’€€‚’†€™€ €„’‚€€‚’†€™€…’€€‚€’†€™€ €„’€ €€’†€™€ ’‚€€‚’†€™€ €„’‚€ ’†€™€‚€’‚€…€‚’†€™€ €„’€ €€’†€™€…’€€‚€’†€™€ €„’‚€€‚’†€™€…’€€‚’†€™€ €„’€ €€’†€™€ ’‚€€‚’†€™€ €„’€€‚€’†€™€‚’€€‚’†€™€ €„’€ €€’†€™€‚€’€€‚’†€™€ €„’‚€€‚’†€™€…’€€‚
Detector ratio formulas:
Where H/W < 1.7: two detectors are required
Where 1.7< H/W: four detectors required.
Note: For Installations using detectors that are not opposite each other, Sensitivity Checking cannot be done.
The number of nozzles required is a function of both the duct size and air speed. Normally, only one spray nozzle is required but for ducts larger than 39 inches, multiple nozzles are needed.
NUMBER OF SPRAY ASSEMBLIES NEEDED:
(for other diameters and air velocities not listed please consult Hansentek)
The Spray Assembly must be mounted on the top of the Duct and a proper distance away from any elbows (Dc). If two spray assemblies are required, they should be mounted as shown in order to allow the nozzle to properly drain. All nozzles must be mounted in the same plane of vertical circumference.
The nozzles must have straight ducts (constant diameter) past their placement in order to guarantee a proper cone of spray. The distance that the spray assembly must be maintained from any elbow is a function of the air velocity. Minimum distance to the closest bend is calculated as (Dc)=0.00113 X velocity of air flow (in feet per minute). The factor is .00113 times the velocity. Therefore if velocity is 5000 ft/min, the minimum distance of separation is .00113 X 5000 = 5.65 feet.
Water pipe, strainers, valves and nozzles installed outside must be heat traced and insulated. Heat tracing and insulation must be adequate to withstand the temperature extremes and environmental conditions of the area where it is installed.
This highly sensitive detector is suitable for most applications even very large ducts.
The flush surface inside the duct promotes self cleaning and the small weather proof enclosure makes service a breeze.
The 120-1 features a comprehensive through-the-lens sensitivity test, and the highest sensitivity available.
For high temperature applications, the detector must be kept remote from the surface of the duct to protect the electronics. This is accomplished by stainless steel clad fiber optic probes to "look" into the duct.
The 121-2S detectors feature a very tough and very smooth sapphire lens which promotes self cleaning and resists abrasion and corrosion.
The small size of the fiber optic probes also makes them ideal for mounting to small ducts.
The 121-2S features a comprehensive through-the-lens sensitivity test, and the highest sensitivity available.
The 122-2X and 122-3X detectors are designed to meet the requirements of Class II environments. Since cable entry must be via rigid conduit, flexible fiber optic probes are used to facilitate cleaning of the lens.
The 122-2X has two fiber optic probes and the 122-3X has three.
The detector is contained in an outdoor NEMA 4 rated aluminum enclosure. It is equipped with a quick-release mounting bracket for mounting onto the surface of a duct. The quick-release mounting bracket allows for easy periodic cleaning of the lens surface.
Each detector is equipped with an infrared LED located behind the protective lens. This LED is used to test the opposing detector when more than one detector is used in a duct. In this way each detector can test the sensitivity of the opposing detector in actual operating conditions.
The 220-1 is similar to the 120-1 but is designed to interface with fire alarm control panels, PLC, etc.
The 220-1 requires 24 VDC and provides an open collector control or a standard 4 wire interface with normally open, dry contacts.
Through the lens sensitivity is provided for pairs of detectors giving a pass / fail response.
The 221-2S is similar to the 121-2S but is designed to interface with fire alarm control panels, PLC, etc.
The 221-2S requires 24 VDC and provides an open collector control or a standard 4 wire interface with normally open, dry contacts.
The 222-2X and 222-3X are similar to the 122-2X and 122-3X but are designed to interface with fire alarm control panels, PLC, etc.
The 222 requires 24 VDC and provides an open collector control or a standard 4 wire interface with normally open, dry contacts.
The 222-2X has two fiber optic probes and the 222-3X has three.
The ODTI 4600 Infra Red Ember Detector is an ultra sensitive optical sensor designed to detect the radiant energy emitted by burning or glowing embers being transmitted on conveyer belts. The detector is designed to detect a 1 sq. inch ember at a distance of 3 feet traveling at up to 20 fps.
The 4600 is sensitive only to the radiation emitted by the formation of CO2 produced by a smoldering ember and is insensitive to ambient light even solar.
Hansentek offers the complete range of Spectrex products. SharpEye Flame Detectors operate in the harshest environmental conditions and are self-contained stand-alone devices designed for direct connection to control and alarm systems or automatic fire extinguishing systems.
901-1: SPRAY ASSEMBLY
The water spray system is comprised of the Mounting Flange, Gasket, Close Nipple, Strainer, Nozzle and Solenoid Valve. The Solenoid Valve portion of the assembly partly relies upon differential water pressure across a diaphragm to open and close the valve. This flow of water takes place in small diameter orifices which should be kept free from debris as much as possible. Therefore, the Nozzle and Spray Assembly includes a strainer immediately upstream of the valve assembly.
The minimum water pressure is 50 PSI and the maximum recommended water pressure is 100 PSI ’†€™€‚€" achievement of which may require a pressure reducer.
BROCHURE 902-1: SPRAY ASSEMBLY
BROCHURE
900-1: SPRAY ASSEMBLY
The minimum water pressure is 50 PSI and the maximum recommended water pressure is 100 PSI achievement of which may require a pressure reducer.
WATER FLOW SWITCH
The water flow switch can be employed at each nozzle of an extinguishment system to verify that water actually sprayed on a detection of a spark or ember. If water failed to flow on detection of a spark, a trouble condition will be initiated. The water flow switch can also be used during system testing to verify the flow of water when the spray is activated.
HEAT DETECTOR
A heat detector is available to monitor for excessive heat in ducts or in the dust collector. The heat detector provides a contact closure when the temperature exceeds the detectors rating. The system may be programmed to spray water or to active an auxiliary fire suppression system on detection of excessive heat. This may be utilized to dump water or steam into the dust collector or activate a preaction sprinkler system.
SUPERVISED SHUTOFF VALVE
A supervised shutoff valve can be used to detect when the waterline to the spray assembly has been shutoff. The valve provides a contact closure when closed and the system can give a supervisory trouble.