WPAC’s Safety Committee has developed resources for the industry to use to help you manage the risk of combustible gas in drum dryers.
released a report in 2023 that summarizes the key actions plant operators can take to manage the risk of combustible gas in drum dryers.
Wood pellet plants produce syngas—a highly explosive mix of carbon monoxide, methane, hydrogen and other volatiles—during various stages of the pellet manufacturing process. This combustible gas is produced whenever biomass is subjected to high temperatures in a low-oxygen environment. It often accumulates within enclosed areas such as dryers, ducts, cyclones and piping. If not managed properly, syngas can cause catastrophic fires, explosions and deflagrations resulting in injuries, loss of life and equipment. This combustible gas phenomenon can equally occur in wood and agricultural biomass.
Ignition of combustible gas can lead to explosions that cause injuries, facility damage, and production downtime.
As a result of several syngas explosions, WPAC’s Safety Committee developed several resources for industry use.
Reducing Combustible Gas Risk in Drum Dryers
The 2023 report is based on a bow tie analysis workshop undertaken to evaluate the hazard of combustible gas, as part of a Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC) and BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC) initiative in collaboration with Premium Pellet Ltd. (Vanderhoof, BC) and Kayleigh Rayner Brown, MASc, P.Eng. (Obex Risk Ltd.).
Bow tie analysis is a hazard analysis tool that wood pellets and medium-density fibreboard manufacturers have previously used to evaluate combustible dust hazards.
Read report and fact sheet: Combustible Gas Risk Reduction in Wood Pellet Production Drum Dryers
Best Practices for Managing Combustible Gas
In 2021, WPAC’s Safety Committee developed an educational video to help operators minimize the risks associated with syngas.
The video describes how and where combustible gas will accumulate during the pellet manufacturing process and gives recommendations for reducing risks such as:
- Using back-up power during power outages to maintain extraction fans
- Considerations for plant design
- Determining locations and components that require inspections and regular cleaning to avoid syngas build-up
- Using monitoring and alarm systems
- Operator training
The video was supported through technical and financial support by several partners including the BCFSC, the University of British Columbia Biomass and Bioenergy Research Group, BioMass Canada Cluster, and Agriculture and Agri-food Canada.
Watch video: Best Practices for Managing Combustible Gas
Other Resources
Use the following resources: