Fire risks in thermal oil systems are extremely rare, thanks to decades of refined safety protocols and measures. Manufacturers and users alike understand the critical importance of proper design, operation, and maintenance to ensure the safety of both personnel and equipment. At Pirobloc, we prioritize safety above all else, offering our customers highly efficient, reliable, and secure thermal fluid solutions.
**Common Causes of Fire in Industrial Thermal Oil Systems**
1. **Leaks**
Leakages typically occur in poorly designed or improperly maintained systems, often due to failed components like seals, gaskets, or hoses. A large leak can lead to a fire if the hot fluid comes into contact with an ignition source—such as bearings, electrical panels, or motors located below the leak. Even small leaks at flanges can pose a risk, which can be minimized by using high-quality materials like graphite or fiber-reinforced Teflon gaskets.
2. **Insulation Fires**
Although rare, fires can occur if heat transfer fluid leaks into porous insulation materials like fibreglass or mineral wool. The fluid may spread through the insulation, leading to spontaneous combustion. To prevent this, closed-cell foam glass insulation is recommended at potential leak points, as it prevents fluid from spreading and reduces the risk of fire.
3. **Undetected Loss of Flow**
A loss of flow in the system, combined with a failure of safety devices, can lead to overheating and eventual rupture of piping. If the fluid becomes exposed to air after a leak, it could ignite if its temperature exceeds the flash point. This highlights the importance of redundant safety systems, such as tri-redundant SIL systems, to eliminate such risks.
4. **Cracked Tubes**
While rare, cracked tubes made from unsuitable materials can cause serious fires. Proper material selection, such as ASME ASTM A106 Gr. B Sch. 40 piping, is essential. Cracks can develop due to thermal cycling or internal soiling. If a crack occurs during shutdown, leaking fluid inside the combustion chamber can lead to dangerous explosions upon restart.
**Assessing Fire Risk in Thermal Fluid Systems**
Three key parameters help assess fire risk:
- **Flash Point**: The temperature at which vapors can ignite.
- **Ignition Point**: Slightly higher than the flash point, indicating sustained combustion.
- **Autoignition Temperature**: The temperature at which a fluid can ignite without an external source.
However, most fires are not caused by the fluid itself but by system failures such as poor insulation, loss of flow, or equipment malfunctions.
**Fire Prevention Measures**
To reduce fire risk, proper design, installation, and maintenance are crucial. Key measures include:
- Using closed-cell insulation like FOAMGLAS® around potential leak points.
- Ensuring valves and flanges are not insulated unless necessary.
- Installing low-flow shutdown systems on the burner safety interlock.
- Maintaining proper ventilation to prevent flammable vapor accumulation.
- Regular inspections for leaks, especially at valves, flanges, and fittings.
- Keeping expansion tanks cool and sealed to prevent oxidation.
**The Role of Thermal Insulation**
Thermal insulation plays a vital role in fire prevention. Closed-cell insulation, such as FOAMGLAS®, is the safest option as it prevents fluid from spreading and reduces the risk of auto-ignition. While more expensive, it is worth the investment for high-risk areas. For lower-risk sections, other insulating materials can be used, provided they do not pose a leakage hazard.
In conclusion, while the risk of fire in thermal oil systems is minimal, proactive measures—like regular maintenance, proper insulation, and advanced safety systems—are essential to ensure long-term reliability and safety.
**Author: Carles Ferrer**
Carles Ferrer is an industrial engineer from Universitat de Barcelona and the Sales Director at Pirobloc. With over 80 countries involved in thermal fluid projects, he brings extensive expertise in safe and efficient thermal oil system design and implementation.
Large Outdoor Washing Machine
Large scrubbers are suitable for cleaning and maintenance of urban streets, as well as cleaning in other industries.
For example:
Municipal engineering
Chewing gum cleaning on urban streets;
Zebra crossing cleaning on urban roads;
Urban graffiti cleaning;
Urban psoriasis cleaning;
City gas pipeline cleaning.
Petrochemical industry
Heat exchanger tube cleaning;
U-shaped tube cleaning;
Floating head heat exchanger shell side cleaning, air cooler fin tube cleaning;
The inner wall of the reactor, the tower tank, and the internal parts of the equipment are cleaned;
Large-scale storage tank surface and inner wall cleaning treatment
Power industry
Remove dirt on the surface or inside of the condenser (box);
Large steam turbine rotors, partitions, and fouling in the shell;
Damaged refractory materials in the furnace and various types of preheating, condenser and other scales can be removed smoothly without damaging the performance of the original equipment;
Large Outdoor Washing Machine,Large Road Washing Machine,Motor Car Wash Equipment,High Pressure Car Wash Machine
Ningbo Senmiao Trading Co., Ltd. , https://www.nbsenmiao.com