Salt Conveyor Belt Monitoring in Germany

K+S is an international mining company that pursued an AP Sensing Linear Heat Detection (LHD) solution for early fire detection at a salt production site in Germany. The site is now equipped with 11 LHD devices monitoring 22 conveyor belt bridges. These bridges typically have a wooden floor, which burn quickly and would affect production in the case of a fire.

 

In addition to the fiber optic LHD units, AP Sensing's steel sensor cable is installed along both sides of each conveyor belt for maximum coverage and the fastest possible fire detection. Our SmartVision asset visualization software is utilized to demonstrate the exact location of temperature events along the conveyor belts. Precision of detection is unaffected by wind, dust and harsh environmental effects. Lastly, all the LHD units transmit alarms via relay contacts to different alarm panels on site to inform the plant fire brigade immediately. 

K+S conducted various trials at the beginning of the project to test other technologies, but found our simple solution is the best option for this type of application and its tough environmental conditions. Due to the project's success and AP Sensing's scope of certifications, K+S and AP Sensing have entered a firm partnership to equip further sites. 

Read this case study in English here or in German here.