Every year, fires caused by spontaneous combustion of biomass, such as piles of wood chips and grain, force emergency services to work intensely and generate huge costs. Why does this happen? Biomass spontaneous combustion, caused by biodegradation and moisture in the presence of oxygen, can quickly escalate into an uncontrolled fire. Predicting and quickly detecting spontaneous combustion is key to preventing these costly and exhausting incidents. These fires also cause significant energy loss and damage to the environment, further emphasizing the need for prevention. In this blog post, we will cover topics such as: why does biomass heat up and what dangers accompany its storage? JUMO's complete fire protection system, including wireless temperature sensors and cloud software, examples of biomass fire protection system applications in various industries, a case study in which we show how a heating plant in Sweden benefited from our fire protection system. Want to learn how to effectively protect your biomass resources and avoid dangerous fires? Read on and discover how JUMO can help secure your facility!
Self-heating of biomass is due to the amount of oxygen, biodegradation and moisture in the pile. Microorganisms decompose organic matter, generating heat, and this process is most intense in the presence of oxygen and adequate humidity. The greatest temperature changes occur in the center of the pile, where these conditions are most favorable and heat accumulates to the greatest extent. As a result, thermal imaging cameras can have difficulty detecting temperature changes over time.
Self-heating occurs due to the presence of oxygen, biological decomposition and moisture in the stack, with the highest temperature rise occurring in the core.
Did you know that biomass fires can be effectively predicted and prevented long before they break out? We have a way to do it! Our innovative wireless temperature sensors precisely monitor what is happening at the heart of the biomass pile, where the greatest temperature changes occur. With this early detection system for stack heating, operators get a warning of potential danger long before a fire breaks out. They can then act quickly by rotating the piles using a wheel loader, reducing the temperature and the risk of spontaneous combustion.
Our wireless temperature sensors come in standard lengths (2.5m, 3m, 3.5m, 4m), but also in customized versions on request. With our modular system, you can adjust the length of the smooth or screw-in lance to suit the height of your stacks. These measuring devices are made of stainless steel, which guarantees resistance to cellulose acids and high temperatures. And what about the batteries? With improved battery life, which depends on temperature and transmission intervals (2 s, 15 s, 30 s, 90 s), you can accurately schedule monitoring and maintenance.
Forget about complicated wiring! Our JUMO Wtrans wireless systems operate on radio frequency (868.4 MHz) with an impressive range of up to 2 km. We can handle up to 16 sensors (wTRANS T01 receiver) or up to 32 sensors (JUMO variTRON 300 controller as receiver), providing clear indications and low battery alarms.
Thanks to the modular design of wireless temperature sensors wTRANS B (707060), we can customize the length and type of lance to suit your needs
Looking for a solution that will work right out of the box, without complicated programming? Our integrated plug and play solutions are tailored to each customer's specific needs. Need support in PLC programming or integration of measurement points with the JUMO Cloud? We are here to help you. With JUMO Cloud's advanced cloud software, you can access real-time data from anywhere, further increasing operational efficiency.
Example of biomass temperature measurement and visualization process
Our measurement systems minimize the risk of biomass spontaneous combustion, which is of great importance to emergency services, power and heating utilities and industrial plant owners. By improving biomass management, we not only reduce the risk of fires, but also reduce their negative impact on the environment by lowering emissions.
We offer proven fire protection concepts for a variety of environments and materials, including:
Fire protection solutions are crucial wherever large quantities of biomass are stored and the risk of spontaneous combustion is high.
Our measurement systems reduce the risk of spontaneous combustion of biomass, which is extremely important for emergency services, power plants, heating plants and industrial plant owners.
A district heating plant in southern Sweden provides an excellent example of the effectiveness of JUMO's temperature control system. The district heating plant, faced with the problem of spontaneous combustion of wood chip piles, decided to implement JUMO temperature sensors in combination with plastic sheets on the chip piles. This significantly reduced the moisture content of the fuel and reduced the risk of self-ignition of the biomass dump.
Statement from the Construction Manager: “Previous fires have taught us the importance of being prepared. JUMO temperature sensors give us a very clear indication of the parameters of the biomass piles. We observe that the temperature can change rapidly under certain conditions. When we receive an alert through our SCADA Cloud surveillance system, I can take action quickly.”
By using JUMO's technology, the district heating plant has not only increased its safety, but also set a new standard in the industry, demonstrating how innovative solutions can lead to a solution to the biomass spontaneous combustion problem.
One of the customers for our proprietary solution to minimize the risk of ignition inside the heap is a heating plant from Sweden
The occurrence of spontaneous combustion and biomass fires poses a serious threat to safety, operational efficiency and the environment. With innovative solutions such as wireless temperature sensors and SCADA Cloud software, these dangerous incidents can be effectively monitored and prevented. Our systems provide precise measurements, early warning and easy integration into existing structures. The example of a heating plant in Sweden shows that with modern technology you can not only improve safety, but also set new standards in the industry. By choosing JUMO, you are investing in the future of safe and sustainable biomass management.
My name is Ewelina Szmit and I have been working in content marketing for several years, combining my professional skills with my passion for writing. I am convinced that even the most technical topics can be presented in an interesting and accessible way for everyone. Outside of work, I unleash my creativity by creating newspaper collages. I like to spend my free time being active, walking my dog or running.
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