Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1921-03-17
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ton, are described by Capt. H. P. Sheldon in an
article contributed to the American Elevator ana
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, inclined to take
some reports of bomb outrages with a grain OF
salt, and more than a grain of science Ihese
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-
plosions.
Last year, in the Walla WalIa section of south
eastern Washington, there were reports of ap-
proximately 40 explosions and fires, the property
loss involved being in the neighborhood of $780,
600. In the Palouse region, also in south
eastern Washington, but Of slightly larger area
than the Waa 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
"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
or a combination of both as more frequently Oc-
curs liberated in the separator during threshing
operations.
"That the preventive appliances, particularly
duSt-colIecting fans, designed by the department
investigators and the threshing machine manufac-
turers are efficient can 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 were operated in
the same section under conditions of high tenn
nerature 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 ac-
tion of racing belts, whirring cylinders and pas
sage of grain straw and dust over 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
narts or off into the air in the form of sparks.
Or the necessary heat for ignition may be sup
nlied by a spark produced by metallic foreign
substances passing through the machine; a heated
bearing. the fame from stray match, or the coal
of discarded cigaret. He goes on:
"a great reduction, in the number of explosions
nrobabIy can be obtained by wiring the ma
chimes as to carry to the ground accumulated
charges of static electricity.
"Nuch 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 npread 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 a result of recent conference in Seattle
between representatives of the Department of Agri-
culture Washington state fire officials and repre-
sentatives of insurance companies and under
writer's associations, recognition will be given by
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 20-per cent reduction of insur
ance rates on, machines in the Pacific Northwest
properly equipped with dust-collecting fam fire
extinguisher, wiring system. The former rate
on machines has been practically prohibitive be
ing ten to eleven dollars and fifty cents per hun
dred."
So if you want to watch your dust you car
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 dust
explosion prevention.