The new hoses from Trelleborg’s industrial hose operation are designed to prevent the dangerous buildup of static electricity in the hose, which until now has been hard to eliminate.
Static electricity created by friction between the powder being conveyed and the inner tube of the hose can be dangerous. Sparks can jump across the tube, causing fires and explosions. Many dairies, flour mills, and makers of other powdered products have suffered from fires caused by such sparks ignited during pneumatic conveying.
Ludovic DUMOULIN, Segment Manager for Industrial Hoses, says: “Many of our customers face safety issues when they need to convey powders pneumatically through a white tube instead of a black tube in order to avoid color contamination. Traditionally, white tubes have been electrically insulated and cannot convey static electricity safely, which can spark fires and explosions. As experts in polymer engineering, we have developed a new kind of rubber with electrical properties that resolves this dilemma.”
Three years in development, the hoses use the latest innovation in technology and chemistry for the conductive white tubing of the Performer AL EC and Trellvac AL EC.
Performer AL EC and Trellvac AL EC are suitable for conveying powder in all ATEX areas according to the technical specification CEI/TS 60079-32-1, Explosive atmospheres – Electrostatic hazards, guidance, and already in use by customers in two different industries,
The new hoses will also help meet the needs of other industries requiring white conductive hoses. For pneumatic conveying of PVC granulates, pigments, lime or other colored powders, a white tube is mandatory in order not to contaminate the product. A black tube cannot be used. Dry mix mortar producers and pulp and paper makers have already used Performer AL EC and Trellvac AL EC successfully for their processes.
Both hoses are food-approved according to the latest regulations. Several customers use them to convey food powders, such as milk powders, sugar, flour, cocoa powders or rice.