Rhino Drum Explosion Isolation Kit: Cost-Effective Alternative to Rotary Valves

In this episode, host Dr. Chris Cloney is joined by Tomm Frungillo, Director of Sales and Marketing at Imperial Systems. They discuss explosion isolation using the Rhino Drum Explosion Isolation Kit, its role in dust collection systems, and the advantages it offers over traditional rotary valve systems.

How did the Rhino Drum come about? What went into its development?

A customer faced challenges maintaining the required tight clearances for rotary valves, especially with abrasive materials.

To address this, a new containment system, the Rhino Drum, was designed and tested. This system eliminates the need for rotary valves, reducing maintenance and costs while still meeting NFPA safety requirements for combustible dust.

Challenge with Rotary Valves: Maintaining the NFPA-required 0.2mm clearance in rotary valves is difficult, especially in abrasive applications.
Development of the Rhino Drum: The team designed and tested multiple concepts to create a better solution that meets NFPA standards.
Testing at Fike: The final design was tested on ST1 dust and successfully contained explosions, eliminating the need for a rotary valve.
Simplified System: The Rhino Drum consists of a slide gate, a tool-free coupler, a drum cover, and a removable drum, making it easier to operate and maintain.
Cost & Maintenance Benefits: The new design reduces costs by more than half compared to traditional rotary valves and eliminates their ongoing maintenance requirements.
Future Plans: Additional testing is planned for ST2 and ST3 dusts to expand its usability.

How does the Rhino Drum work?

The Rhino Drum is designed as an alternative to traditional NFPA-compliant rotary valves for dust collectors. Here’s how it works:

Slide Gate Mechanism – At the bottom of the dust collector hopper, there is a slide gate that can open and close, controlling the flow of dust into the drum.
Tool-Free Coupler – Between the slide gate and the drum, a tool-free coupler ensures a secure but easily detachable connection.
Drum & Drum Cover – The collected dust is stored in a drum that has a specialized cover. The cover, along with the coupler, creates a sealed system that prevents dust from escaping and contains any potential explosion.
Simple Removal & Replacement – To empty the drum:
- The drum cover is lifted.
- The coupler is detached by sliding it up.
- The full drum is removed and either emptied or replaced with a new one.
- A new drum is positioned, and the coupler and cover are reattached using a few threaded knobs.
Explosion Containment – The system was tested on ST1 dust and proved effective in containing an explosion, making it a viable NFPA-compliant alternative to rotary valves.

What are the key benefits?

Eliminates the Need for a Rotary Valve
- Traditional NFPA-compliant rotary valves require precise clearance (0.2mm) to function correctly and prevent flame propagation.
- Over time, abrasive materials wear down the rotary valve’s components, requiring frequent maintenance and replacement.
- The Rhino Drum removes this complexity by providing an alternative that meets NFPA standards without the need for constant adjustments or part replacements.
Significantly Reduces Maintenance & Downtime
- Rotary valves require regular maintenance, including rotor replacement, lubrication, and alignment.
- The Rhino Drum has no moving parts, reducing the risk of mechanical failure.
- Operators only need to swap out the drum when full, making maintenance quick and straightforward.
Cost Savings (Less Than Half the Cost of a Rotary Valve)
- The Rhino Drum costs less than half of a standard NFPA-compliant rotary valve.
- Eliminates expenses related to:
  - Electrical components (motors, starters, and wiring)
  - Replacement parts (rotors, wipers, seals)
  - Frequent maintenance labor costs
- Over time, businesses can save significantly on both operational and maintenance costs.
Simplified Drum Removal & Replacement
- The design allows for quick and tool-free drum changes using a simple coupler and threaded knobs.
- Operators can swap out the drum with minimal effort, reducing time spent on dust collection system upkeep.
- Unlike rotary valves, which require disassembly for maintenance, the Rhino Drum enables a fast and efficient disposal process.
Explosion Containment & NFPA Compliance
- The Rhino Drum was tested with ST1 dust and successfully contained an explosion.
- This means it meets NFPA performance-based requirements, offering a safer alternative to traditional rotary valves.
- Future testing on ST2 and ST3 dusts is planned, which will further expand its usability across different industries handling combustible dust.
Enhanced Safety & Reliability
- By eliminating moving parts, the risk of mechanical failure and dust leakage is reduced.
- The sealed system ensures proper containment of combustible dust, reducing the likelihood of secondary explosions.
- Less operator intervention is required, lowering the risk of human error during maintenance or drum changes.

Conclusion

The Rhino Drum is a cost-effective, low-maintenance, and NFPA-compliant solution for dust collection systems. It provides a simpler, safer, and more reliable alternative to rotary valves while reducing operational costs and improving efficiency.

The Rhino Drum provides a simple, effective solution for explosion isolation at the discharge point of dust collectors.
It eliminates the need for costly and maintenance-heavy rotary valves.
Testing confirms its ability to contain explosions in ST1 dust applications, with future plans for ST2 and ST3 testing.
The system is designed for easy drum removal and replacement, enhancing operational efficiency.

If you would like to discuss further, leave your thoughts in the comments section below. You can also reach Tomm Frungillo directly:

Website: Website: http://imperialsystemsinc.com / isystemsweb.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/v-t-tomm-frungillo-jr-3065a63/

Email: [email protected]

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