BIZTRACKS
Fike, Hobré Partner to Prevent Spray Dryer Explosions in Food Industry
Fike Corporation has partnered with Hobré International to advance fire and explosion prevention in industrial drying operations, particularly those involving spray dryers.
Spray dryers are widely used in the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors. However, they pose significant fire and explosion risks due to the nature of the drying process. In 2023, spray dryers accounted for nearly 18 percent of all reported fire and explosion incidents, according to the 2023 Combustible Dust Incident Report by Dust Safety Science. These hazards often arise when product agglomerates into clumps under high heat, potentially smoldering and igniting combustible dust clouds within the dryer.
To address this risk, Hobré’s BICOSYS system offers early-stage combustion detection by continuously monitoring carbon monoxide (CO) levels at both the inlet and outlet of the spray dryer. This dual-point monitoring enables the system to detect CO anomalies up to 30 minutes before a fire develops, while also minimizing false alarms triggered by external sources such as vehicle exhaust.
In addition to CO monitoring, Fike will also offer Hobré’s HICOSYS system for humidity control. Real-time humidity insights enable precise dryer management, reducing the likelihood of sticky deposits and product coagulation—both of which contribute to smoldering risks.
The combination of Hobré’s analytical expertise with Fike’s safety technologies delivers a unified, end-to-end solution that protects people and assets while optimizing operational costs.
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