DETONATION FLAME ARRESTER QUALIFYING APPLICATION PARAMETER FOR EXPLOSION PREVENTION IN VAPOR HANDLING SYSTEMS

Compliance with air quality initiatives often involves the installatio n of a vapor collection system (VCS). The purpose of a VCS is to colle ct and direct vapors to a flare, incinerator or recovery unit. This pr actice creates a hazardous situation wherein an explosive vapor is tie d into an ignition source. This paper examines nine factors in creatin g the most severe flame front possible in a practical, full sized pipi ng system. They are: gas types, gas mixtures, pre-ignition pressure, t emperature of the ignition energy, temperature of the mixture, ignitio n location pipe configuration, protected side restrictions and enduran ce to stabilized flame. The paper also examines which of these factors are in the jurisdiction of the plant process and those factors for wh ich proof of capability have been demonstrated by commercially manufac tured detonation flame arresters in actual tests. Many certification s tandards define the acceptance testing of DFA's. They have been evolvi ng and improving over the past two decades. A summary is made of which flame propagation parameters are addressed by various standards. When reviewed in this context, and applied to practical operating conditio ns, new levels of confidence and safety are created. The critical vari ables within the control of the industry are outlined. This informatio n can be applied to reduce the current high frequency of vapor transpo rtation explosions.