What is flame arrester?
Flame Arrester is a device that allows fuel to move through it, but prevents a flame to avoid a bigger fire or explosion. There are a huge variety of situations where flame arresters are used.
Anyone involved in selecting flame arresters must understand how these products work and the limitations of their performance. This article provides an introduction to the flame arrester technology and terminology and the types of products available for this purpose.
How modern Flame Arresters work?
Flame arresters are stationary devices that do not have moving parts. By using wound crimped metal ribbon-style flame cell component, they prevent the spread of flame from the exposed side of the device to the protected side.
The building creates a matrix of uniform openings that are carefully built to quench the fire by absorbing the flame’s heat. This provides the ignited vapor mixture with an extinguishing barrier.
In-line Deflagration or Detonation Flame Arrester:
The other major category consists of flame arresters in-line, also known as flame arresters for deflagration and detonation. (Non-technically speaking, deflagration means rapid burning and detonation means explosion.) Such devices are mounted in tubes to avoid the passage of flames.
Most in-line applications of flame arresters are in devices that capture liquid and solid-emitted gases. Such systems can be called vapor control devices, which are widely used in many industries.
Usually flammable are the gasses that are vented into the atmosphere or controlled through vapor control systems. If the conditions are such that combustion occurs, the potential for catastrophic damage may result in a fire inside or outside the device.
Vapor destruction devices are called a range of vapor control systems. High flare systems, sealed flare systems, burner and catalytic incineration systems, as well as waste gas boilers, are included.
End of Line or Vent-to-Atmosphere:
End of line or vent-to-atmosphere flame arresters allow free ventilation for vertical ventilation applications in combination with flame protection. They prevent the spread of flames by absorbing and dissipating energy with spiral wound stainless steel ribbon flaming cells.
The classic function is to avoid the entry of fire into an environment in the atmosphere. For starters, flame arresters began to be installed on oilfield storage tanks on winds around 1920. We prevent the tanks from burning when lightning strikes gas escaping from the vents.