Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1366075
26 / May 2021 powderbulk.com especially for a large or serious event. Decisions must be made in the critical moments, seconds to minutes following an event, often with a degree of panic and limited data available to the operator. Comparable to the lightning speed of digital evaluation and a self-driving car's response, a smart explosion safety controller, such as the safety cockpit technology shown in Figure 4, represents its namesake by taking control in the event of a fire or explosion. 6 This smart safety controller can interpret field and hazard sensor data to initiate immediate alarm and fire response action. When configured with integrated net- working, the controller can notify personnel on their smartphones regardless of the person's location. The event data, including plant location, equipment, and sensors, is displayed on a local connected computer or accessed remotely via a mobile app. Connection with plant video cameras can allow on-site and off-site oper- ators immediate observation of the event so they can make quick decisions to initiate plant fire protection systems or services, dispatch the local fire department, or announce a complete facility evacuation with the push of an on-screen button. An operator's rapid response to an explosion event can reduce the potential for injury, damage, and extended process downtime. An automated and controlled process is advantageous because the process is always ready and available with instantaneous action. Automated control removes the reliance on human input and assists with immediate decision-making based on real-time, relevant data. Explosion event aftermath Following a protected explosion event, the primary objectives are typically to resume process operation as soon as possible and determine the event's cause to prevent future repeat events. Smart explosion safety systems can support both of these tasks. Following the explosion protection systems' activation, field sensors and potential ignition sources. Specific performance monitoring equipment, such as monitors for bucket elevators, can also be a compliance requirement accord- ing to the National Fire Protection Association's NFPA Standard 61: Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Dust Explosions in Agricultural and Food Processing Facilities. 5 Explosion protection system response and effects In the event an explosion protection system performs its job by intervening to prevent a dust explosion's damaging effects, a series of actions and events follow. Halting the process and associated equipment imme- diately following an explosion event is important to mitigate fire spread, damage, and material loss. A rapid response is conducive to minimizing residual damag- ing or loss effects. Explosion safety systems can use data from deflagration burst sensors, isolation valve activation switches, and active system activation or trouble sensors for extended hazard control. Safety sys- tem controls can instantaneously analyze sensor data in milliseconds to initiate the appropriate automatic shutdowns, response actions, and process controls to contain and minimize explosion event residual effects. Integrated automation and control for explosion safety Sensors and monitoring devices can be simple or advanced as well as broad or precise. The common- ality amongst all of these devices is that they collect data. The differentiation between a simple device and a smart device is how the collected data is used. We can apply the same analogy to sitting in our vehicle driver's seat. Vehicle sensors collect and display poten- tial hazard data such as an object in a blind spot, low tire air pressure, or potential collision objects. As the driver, we can interpret this data and make informed decisions to manage risk. With vehicle safety tech- nology and artificial intelligence advancements, some vehicles have the ability to collect and interpret haz- ard data, evaluate scenarios, and physically respond. An example of this is automatic vehicle braking for collision avoidance and autonomous control with self-driving cars. In most industrial facilities, human input and labor are critical resources to the process. In the event of a fire or explosion, people are typically required to step out of their process operator roles and into the hypothetical hazard-control driver's seat. Here, these operators need to make time-sensitive decisions for hazard management and process recovery based on the data available to them. Making these decisions can be an extremely difficult and stressful undertaking, FIGURE 4 Safety cockpit interface simulation