Shred Well Protected

GreCon Spark Extinguishing System at Hydro Aluminium Recycling Deutschland GmbH in Dormagen, Germany, sees to a safe aluminium reprocessing

SAFETY ALWAYS – this is the guiding principle of the Norsk Hydro Group. To fulfil this principle, the subsidiary Hydro Aluminium Recycling Deutschland GmbH, which specialises in the reprocessing of aluminium scrap relies on the GreCon Spark Extinguishing System. At the Dormagen site, 36,000 tons of aluminium scrap are shredded per year.

The risks of fire that the reprocessing of aluminium hold represents a big challenge. The mechanical recycling processes like shredding, conveying or filtering are at special risk. All areas at risk are monitored by spark detectors. Besides the highly sensitive FM 1/8 spark detectors, detectors of the type DLD 1/8, that are insensitive to light, are used in areas with light ingress.

If sparks or other ignition sources are detected, the automatic extinguishing system will be activated. A fine water mist spray extinguishes danger potentials within milliseconds. The low amount of water reduces the influence on downstream production processes to a minimum and secures plant areas at risk. The spark extinguishing system guarantees the recycling company a high production availability. Gregor Kurth, Plant Manager of Hydro Aluminium Recycling Deutschland GmbH, reports of the experiences they made: “The spark extinguishing system and the records performed by the control console give us security that no sparks reach the filters”.

The investment by the recycler in additional safety was judged very positively by the approval authorities and the property insurer. The GreCon Spark Extinguishing System guarantees the recycling company a high production availability as well as a high degree of safety. “We would take this step again and again”, says Kurth.