The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-04-02
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ton. are described by Capt. II. P. Sheldon in an
article contributed to the American Elevator anu
Grain Trade (Chicago). Says captain oieiuon'
in part:
"Three great divisions Of the United States De-
parment of Agriculture, the bureaus OF chemistry,
plant industry and markets, are inclined 10 take
some reports of bomb outrages with gram oi
salt, and more than grain OF science Ihese
bureaus have combined to investigate, and II pos
sible control the mysterious explosions ana nres
which occur in threshing machines ana when
are known to the general public as 'dust eA-
plosions'
"Iast year in the Walia Wal]a section OF south
eastern Washington there reports OF ap-
proximately 40 explosions and fires, the properly
loss involved being in the neighborhOOd OF $780,
OOO In the Palouse region, also IN soutn-
eastern Washington. but OF slightly larger area
than the Walla Walla, where smut and grain-dust
explosions had been more numerous than in any
other section in previous harvests, there were
about 40 explosions with property loss OF about
$4,000.
at 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,
or a combination of both. as more frequently oc-
curs liberated in the separator during threshing
operations
4 aThat the preventive appliances, particularly
dustcollecting fans, designed by the department,
investigators and the threshing-machne manufac-
turers, are efficient not be doubted. There is
no record of any explosion occurring in machine
that had been properly equipped with these de-
vices though these machines 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
Il -. At
ton Of racing belts, whirring cylinders and pas
sage of grain, straw and dust over metal surfaces
In short, Captain Sheldon explains, the thresher
becomes huge dynamo constantly making and
storing electricity, which, unless given closed
metal path to the ground, will pass between metal
parts or off into the air in the form Of sparks
OR the necessary heat for ignition may be sup
Piled by n spark produced by metallic or foreign
substances passing through the machine; heated
bearing the flame from stray match, or the coal
Of discarded cigaret. He goes on:
"A great reduction in the number of explosions
probably can be obtained by so wiring the ma
chimes as to carry to the ground accumulated
charges Of static electricity
'Much success has resulted from the use Of a
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
'The scientists conducted special experiments
with devices intended to remove smut dust and
dirt from the grain.
"As result OF recent conference in Seattle
between representatives Of the Department Of Apri
culture, Washington state fire officials and repre-
sentatives OF insurance companies and under
writer's associations, recognition will be given bv
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 Copper cent reduction ~ ,rspr
ance rates on machines in the Pacific Northwest
properly equipped with dust-collecting fan. are
extinguisher, or wiring system. The former rata
on machines has been practically prohibitfve he-
ing ten to eleven dollars and nifty cents Der hun.
dred."
So. II you want to watch your dust vor COW
send for bulletin prepared b. the bnrear ~
chemistry. entitled "Grain Dust Explosion Preven.
ton" And by communicating with the bnre.u
you can get into touch with men trained In dnst.
EXPLOSION prevention. -'As'