Spark Control with Engineered Fabrics

Engineered Fabrics are an integral part of complete Bulk Material Handling Solutions

Compounds and materials used in the manufacturing of finished products run the range from inert to explosive. Because of this, it is vitally important to match the static and compound characteristics of flexible fabric connections, liners and filters to the correct composition for the required application. Failure to do so could result in explosive damage to your facility. When an ignition source contacts explosive dust the problems can multiply rapidly and become life threatening.

Correctly Determine if your Fabrics and Filters require grounding

It is imperative that attention be given to selecting the correct flexible fabric sleeves and to the filter media used in dust collection systems to properly limit the possibility of static discharge. Depending on air to dust ratios, materials and compounds can be inert at one ratio yet dangerous at another. Generally, the more oxygen available, the greater the chance of ignition. Many materials that are normally benign will ignite if exposed to an ignition source at the right material to air ratio.To minimize the threat of sparking and ignition, fabrics that have metal threads woven into them maintain continuity between the pipes they connect. Proper grounding is an essential part of sound bulk material handling practices. Dust Filters with a metal encased exterior and a ground strap can minimize a possible source of static discharge ignition.

Explosive Dust requires a well thought out set of solutions

When you require replacement fabric flexible connections, fabric basket liners and fabric sleeves, please contact us to discuss your application to make sure you are getting engineered fabrics that are correct for your application. While proper grounding is extremely important so are ignition detection devices and alarms, explosion venting, flame suppression systems, fast acting valves and blast deflection solutions. Further Reading – We have addressed Explosive Dust in a prior blog post which follows below;

Increased interest in OSHA Directives regarding Explosive Dust?

April 26, 2010

Last week, we were invited to a customer site to review the results of an OSHA visit for dust issues and to determine the curative steps to achieve compliance. This appears to be trending upward. In the last six months we have noted an increase in OSHA dust related Customer Site visits and an increase in Customer requests to provide equipment and expertise to address combustible dust issues. Simply read the national news to see that due to combustible dust explosions in recent years, safety agencies are taking a heightened interest in Combustible Dust Control.

Additionally, there is a  Meeting Summary Report that was issued on February 9, 2010. This report summarizes key discussion points during two stakeholder meetings that OSHA convened pertaining to its rulemaking on combustible dust. The two 3-hour meetings were held on December 14, 2009, at the Washington Marriott at Metro Center in Washington, D.C.

You can read the above mentioned event’s OSHA report at:    http://tinyurl.com/32p6t7o

Doesn’t OSHA already have a program for Combustible Dust? The existing OSHA Combustible Dust Emphasis Program (effective date 03/08/2008)  addresses these categories

• Metal dust such as aluminum and magnesium.
• Wood dust
• Coal and other carbon dusts.
• Plastic dust and additives
• Biosolids
• Other organic dust such as sugar, flour, paper, soap, and dried blood.
• Certain textile materials.

You can read the current Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (Reissued) at: http://tinyurl.com/23oncr5

O.A. Newton has expertise in these areas to assist you. If you are interested in having the existing Dust Handling Systems at your facilities reviewed for an Explosion Relief Retrofit, please contact O.A. Newton directly. We provide Engineered Material Handling Solutions to a Global Customer base.

Greg Mareski, Business Development Manager, O.A. Newton, Engineered Material Handling Systems.

Maintaining Production Volumes

Master Parts List Program

The uneven starts and stops of the economy during the last few years have complicated returning to full production. This requires clear focus on how to restore and maintain volume production. We are able to assist by offering planned maintenance schedules and Master Parts Lists to our Clients for past,  existing and newly completed Projects. If you contact us, we are often able to offer insight into past O.A. Newton projects from multiple decades ago. O.A. Newton offers a Master Parts List program to our Customers at no charge. It is a benefit of doing business with us. If you are interested in learning more about this maintenance program that uses our vast historical project data and is provided at no cost to you for past project research, please contact us at Solutions@oanewton.com and put Master Parts List in the subject line. To clarify, this service is offered at no charge to provide parts and assemblies for past projects installed and engineered by O.A. Newton. Alternately, the System Performance Assessment provides Engineering Review.

System Performance Assessments

Our System Performance Assessments (SPA) is a reasonably priced review that can help you determine the best processes and technologies to invest in so that your old system can be upgraded, without having to buy a new system. We come onsite, perform an in person analysis then produce a written deliverable that outlines what we found and suggests what is working and details what is not. You can take that information and use it as you see fit. Here is an added benefit of working with O.A. Newton, if the cost of your Project has a value of $75,000 or greater and you begin the project within 6 months of the SPA being delivered to you, we will apply all costs of the SPA against your New Project.

Components and Assemblies

Do you need to replace Components and Assemblies due to aging equipment wear and tear? All O.A. Newton branded components are produced in-house  and on premises in our 30,000 square foot fabrication facility. They are rigorously inspected for quality, performance, safety and long-term reliability. Our components offer many features and functions not available elsewhere. O.A. Newton components are designed specifically for the demanding challenges associated with difficult to handle powders, resins, colorants and compounds.

Since we are an O.E. M. we pass the very significant cost savings through to you. Here are some of the Components and assemblies that are proven, high quality solutions for your Material Handling Systems needs.

(1) O.A. Newton Dust Collections Systems use low negative pressure to remove dust and fines from your process and keep it from entering your plant. Our dust collections systems range from small, 1-2 cartridge units that will re-introduce consolidated material back into the process, up to the larger, 100 or more cartridge inter-venting units that will remove dust from entire systems.  Read more: http://tinyurl.com/4ave9jd

(2) Whether you need bulk, in-plant storage, or need to weigh and/or hold batch ingredients for your process O.A. Newton Hoppers and Tanks will step up to the job. You can learn more here: http://tinyurl.com/48xgktn

(3) Our Carbon Black Handling Division –  TKC Technologies(an affiliate of O.A. Newton) developed, patented and commercialized the internally heated screw feeder for delivering carbon black to your rubber mixer. The patented TKC Heated Screw Conveyor is the only device of its kind. It solved the problems of moving carbon black by accurately moving it from bins to scales. If you have Carbon Black handling needs please read more: http://tinyurl.com/4rnxoac.

The above items are some of the Components and Assemblies we manufacture in-house at O.A. Newton.  We also Manufacture Pinch Valves,  Slide Gate Valves, Vacuum Breaker/Purge Valves and Vacuum Sequencing Valves. If you want to learn more about these additional Components and Assemblies please look here: http://www.oanewton.com/components.cfm

O.A. Newton is Material Handling. Learn More here: http://tinyurl.com/y9m5zzd

Please contact O.A Newton with any questions about our super competitive pricing, Components, Assemblies, Replacement Parts and Engineering Services, Greg Mareski, Business Development Manager, Phone 302-337-3778, email:  Solutions@oanewton.com