Flame Arrester Baffle Plate Shock Wave Attenuation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current flame arresters face challenges in effectively protecting against detonations without increasing the flame arrester element diameter or quenching length, while also minimizing shock wave impact and reflected shock waves, especially when dealing with highly reactive gases like ethylene oxide, hydrogen, and ethylene.
Innovation Solution
A flame arrester design featuring a baffle plate with a large aperture ratio relative to the inlet diameter, strategically positioned to attenuate shock waves and allow unimpeded gas flow, reducing pressure drop during normal operation and enhancing the arrester's ability to withstand higher pressures and detonations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flame arrester element with larger diameter or longer quenching length is used to protect against detonation, then the protection effectiveness is improved, but the pressure drop during normal operation increases and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flame arrester is divided into multiple functional zones: a first zone with a flame arrester element for quenching flames, and a second zone with a shock wave attenuator for reducing shock wave impact. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, enabling effective detonation protection without requiring an excessively large or long flame arrester element that would cause high pressure drop during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A shock wave attenuator is introduced as an intermediary component between the flame arrester element and the incoming detonation. This attenuator pre-reduces the intensity of the shock wave before it reaches the flame arrester element, allowing the flame arrester element to be smaller and more efficient, thereby reducing pressure drop during normal gas flow while maintaining detonation protection capability.
2Strength
If a larger diameter flame arrester element is used to withstand higher detonation pressures, then the strength and protection capability are improved, but the housing diameter must increase which interferes with normal conduit operation
Solution Approach 1:
The flame arrester system is segmented into a flame arrester element housed in a first housing, and a shock wave attenuator housed in a second housing. This segmentation allows the flame arrester element to be protected by the shock wave attenuator, enabling the use of a smaller, more compact housing that does not substantially interfere with normal conduit operation, while still withstanding high detonation pressures through the combined protection mechanism.
3Reliability
If a more robust flame arrester element is used to stop detonation, then the reliability against explosive incidents is improved, but the device complexity and physical size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional modules: a flame arrester element for flame quenching and a shock wave attenuator for shock wave reduction. Each module can be independently designed, manufactured, and maintained, reducing overall device complexity while achieving reliable detonation arrest through the coordinated action of both modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The shock wave attenuator serves multiple functions: it attenuates incoming shock waves, protects the flame arrester element from direct shock wave impact, and can be designed to work with various types of flame arrester elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining high reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design allows for operation at higher pressures and more effective detonation protection without increasing the flame arrester element diameter or quenching length, ensuring efficient gas flow and enhanced safety against explosive incidents.
Implementation Method 1
a baffle plate and a flame arrester element located within the housing, wherein the inlet for gas to enter the housing has a maximum diametric dimension D and the housing has a diametric dimension larger than the inlet... the baffle plate is flat on both its upstream and downstream faces and is secured to the inner wall of the housing and has an aperture which has a minimum diametric dimension of at least 0.75D through which, in use, gas is flowable to the flame arrester element
Implementation Method 2
Typically these slow down the flame front or otherwise interfere with propagation, so as to reduce the velocity of the flame front, disperse the energy therein and turn a detonation into a deflagration and/or to reduce the energy in a propagating deflagration so that the combustion can be controlled, contained and/or avoided
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 2C~2F
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A flame arrester (FA1) having an inlet (12) and an outlet (32), a housing (13, 23, 33) between the inlet (12) and outlet (32), one or more baffle plates (14, 34) and a flame arrester element (20) located within the housing (13, 23, 33). The inlet (12) has a maximum diametric dimension (D12). A first baffle plate (14) is located downstream of the inlet (12) and the flame arrester element (20) is located downstream of the first baffle plate(14). A second baffle plate (34) is located downstream of the flame arrester element (20) and upstream of the outlet (32). The baffle plates (14, 34) are secured to the inner wall of the housing (13, 23, 33) and each has an aperture (15, 35). The aperture (15) of the first baffle plate (14) has a minimum diametric dimension of at least 0.75D12.