The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1923-08-16
PREVENTION OF SMUT ExPLo-
SION IN GRAIN sEPARAToRs.

Horace Sykes, fire prevention en-.
gineer, with Northwestern Mutual
Fire association says;
Safeguarding grain separator
from smut or dust explosion is one of
the most important things necessary
to be done in the protection of our
grain crops, both standing grain, and
grain in the sack if near the separator,
because it frequently happens that a
separator communicates to the grain
causing loss many times greater
than that of the separator.
1t is apparent therefore, that the
prevention of the dust explosion is de-
pendent upon one of two things, eth.
er the removal of the dust, or the re-
moval of the spark, flame, or heat,
that ignites it
The removal of the dust can be ae-
complished by the installation of a
suction fan Immediately back of the
cylinder Of the machine so the dust is
drawn out mechanically, or it can be
accomplished in a limited way by
leaving all possible holes, doors and
openings in the separator open while
threshing
The other safeguard is the removal
of spark, flame, or heat that ignites
the dust.
Investigation has proven that about
half of the dust explosions are started
by discharges of static electricity.
This static or frictional electricity is
generated by friction of the grain and
straw on the moving parts of the sep
arator. 1t can be removed to a large
extent by connecting the various parts
with wire connections to a common
grounding wire, which is attached to
a rod which is driven two or three feet
in moistened earth. The connections
with the cylinder and blower fan
shafts should be made with a copper
strip so fastened and adjusted that 1t
will bear on dry clean part of the
shaft, and the grounding wire firmly
fastened to it, The correct way TO
make wire joints is with solder, and
in making connections with shakers
the connection should Obe made with |
the metal part, or pan, and be with
flexible wire loose enough so il win
not break from the motion of the mil |
chine.
1t is probable that striking cylinder
and concave teeth do under favorable |
conditions create sparks hot enough TO
ignite dust. The cylinder and con-
cave teeth should be kept in proper
alignment at all times so they viii
not interfere. If they are heard to
be knocking the machine should be
stopped Immediately, and they should
De Strengthened up and tightened.
1t is possible to extinguish the fire
from explosion or any other cause
within the separator if sufficient wa
er can be sprayed inside of it im
nediately. A large tank on the top
# the separator, under pressure, with
sprinkling system inside has proven
Effective. The most practical devise
'or this purpose however is the chem
cal extinguisher. II has operated
uccessfully in a number of explosions,
md has so far as is known, not failed
n single instance.
Keep your separator well ventilated
nd open when threshing in smut.
Let it run empty and blow ont FIRE.
uently. The more smut the oftenAr
his should be done
Install systems of wiring to remove
tatic electricity, keep in condition,
nd kee pearth around ground rod
loistened
Keep cylinder teeth in alignment,
nd from striking concave teeth.
Install a good fire extinguisher
quipment on separator.