The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-03-17
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ton, described by Capt. H P. Sheldon in an
article contributed to the American Elevator and
Grain Trade (Chicago). Says Captain Sheldon
in part:
Three great divisions of the United States De
partment of Agriculture, the bureaus Of chemistry,
plant industry and markets, are inclined to take
some reports of bomb Outrages with grain Of
salt, and more than grain of science. These
bureaus have combined to investigate, and, if pos
sible control the mysterious explosions and fires
which occur in threshing machines and which
are known to the general public as dust ex-
posiOns'
Last year, in the WaIIa WalIa section of south
eastern Washington, there were reports of APP
prOxmately 40 explosions and fires, the property
loss involved being in the neighbOrhoOd of $685.
OO0 In the PaOuse region, also in south
eastern Washington, but Of slightly larger area
than the Walla Walla, where smut and grain-dust
explosions bad been more numerous than in any
other section in previous harvests. there were
about 10 explosions with property loss of about
$4,000.
'It seems advisable to describe more fully the
factors which combine to produce grain-dust
explosion in a threshing machine. The first in
gredient for the combination is smut, grain-dust,
combination of both, frequently
ours, liberated in the separator during threshing
operations.
THAT the preventive appliances, particularly
dust-cOIlecting fans, designed by the department
investigators and the threshng- achine manufac-
turerS, efficient not be doubted. There is
no record of any explosion occurring in a machine
that had been properly equipped with these de-
vices though these machines were operated in
the same section under conditions of high tenn
perature low humidity and dust-all prime fac
tors for the occurrence of dust explosions"
Most often, apparently, the source of ignition
is static electricity, great charges of which are
generated in the thresher itself through the &C
ton OF racing belts whirring cylinders and pas
sage of grain, straw and dust metal surfaces.
In short Captain Sheldon explains, the thresher
becomes a huge dynamo. constantly making and
storing electricity which, unless given a closed
metal path to the ground, Will pass between metal
parts off into the air in the form of sparks.
Or the necessary heat for ignition may be SUD-
piled by a spark produced by metallic or foreign
substances passing through the machine; heated
bearing. the flame from stray match, or the coal
of a discarded cigaret. He goes on:
"a great reduction in the number of explosions
probably be obtained by wiring the ma
chimes as to carry to the ground accumulated
charges of static electricity.
Much success has resulted from the use OF
fre-extingUisher adapted to grain separators
which in the event of fire not only saves the ma
chine but prevents the spread Of the flames to
nearby grain and straw
1.-The scientists conducted special experiments
with devices intended to remove smut dust and
dirt from the grain.
GAS a result Of a recent conference In Seattle
between representatives of the Department of Aeri
culture, Washington state fire officials and repre-
SentativeS OF insurance companies and under
writer's associations recognition viii be given nv
these insurance interests to the devices recon-
mended by the department for the prevention of
explosions and fires in threshIng machines This
has resulted in a copper cent reduction Of insur
rates on machines in the Pacific Northwest
properly equipped with dust-colleeting fan fire.
extinguisher, or wiring system. The former rate
machines has been practically prohibitfye he
ing ten to eleven dollars and fifty cents per hun
dred."
So, If you want to watch your dust Won can
send for bulletin prepared by the bureau of
chemistry, entitled "Grain Dust Explosion Proven
ton" And by communicating with the burea1
you can get into touch with men trained In dnst
explosion prevention.