Basic knowledge of explosion-proof cold storage 1

In cold chain storage scenarios for industries such as chemical engineering, pharmaceuticals, new materials, and flavors & fragrances, ordinary cold storage can only provide basic temperature control and preservation functions and cannot meet the storage needs of flammable, explosive, and volatile hazardous materials. As a special‑purpose safety cold chain facility, explosion‑proof cold storage is built in strict accordance with dual national standards for explosion protection and cold storage design. It eliminates potential explosion hazards at the source through professional explosion‑proof design and compliant construction. It serves as core supporting equipment for the storage and turnover of low‑temperature high‑risk materials, and a critical guarantee for safe industrial cold‑chain production.

1. Definition and Core Design Principles of Explosion‑Proof Cold Storage

Explosion‑proof cold storage is a special cold storage built to national standards for both cold storage design (GB 50072) and explosive environments (GB 3836). It is used to store temperature‑sensitive yet flammable and explosive industrial materials, experimental reagents, special raw materials, and other high‑risk goods. Unlike ordinary cold storage, which prioritizes temperature control, explosion‑proof cold storage follows the core principle of safety first, temperature control second.

Its core explosion‑proof mechanism is to eliminate ignition sources and isolate explosion risks. Adopting flame‑proof and intrinsically safe composite explosion‑proof technologies, all electrical equipment, wiring, and control systems inside the cold storage are modified to prevent electric sparks, equipment overheating, short circuits, and static friction. Combined with airtight anti‑leakage, ventilation and pressure relief, and gas detection systems, it prevents explosion conditions even if flammable gas leaks inside, delivering comprehensive safety protection.

2. Key Differences Between Explosion‑Proof and Ordinary Cold Storage

Although structurally similar, the two types of cold storage differ fundamentally in safety standards, equipment configuration, and applicable scenarios:

1. Core Function: Ordinary cold storage focuses on constant‑temperature preservation for conventional goods such as fruits, vegetables, meat, and food. Explosion‑proof cold storage provides precise temperature control alongside explosion‑proof, fire‑proof, and leak‑proof protection for high‑risk special goods.

2. Equipment Configuration: Ordinary cold storage uses standard refrigeration units, lighting, and electrical control systems. Explosion‑proof cold storage adopts dedicated explosion‑proof models for all electrical equipment including refrigeration units, fans, lights, switches, and sensors, with sealed flame‑retardant wiring to eliminate fire and spark risks.

3. Construction Standards: Ordinary cold storage only complies with the Code for Design of Cold Storehouses (GB 50072). Explosion‑proof cold storage must satisfy both GB 50072 and the GB 3836 series standards for explosive environments, with additional industry‑specific fire‑protection requirements for chemical and pharmaceutical applications.

4. Safety Features: Explosion‑proof cold storage is equipped with flammable gas detectors, automatic ventilation/pressure relief systems, static grounding devices, emergency power‑off protection, and fire‑fighting linkage systems — none of which are installed in ordinary cold storage.

3. Main Explosion‑Proof Classification

Safety levels directly determine applicable scenarios, classified by gas explosion‑proof grade and temperature class:

1. IIBT4: A common industrial grade suitable for ethanol, flavors, general chemical solvents, and pharmaceutical reagents. Widely adopted by small‑ and medium‑sized enterprises for cost‑effective performance.

2. IICT4: High‑grade explosion protection for hydrogen, highly volatile olefins, high‑risk fine chemical raw materials, and Zone 1 & 2 hazardous areas. Used by large chemical and advanced new‑material manufacturers for maximum safety.

Temperature class T4 means the maximum surface temperature of equipment ≤ 135°C, covering most low‑temperature flammable material storage applications.