Guidelines for selecting flame arresters
Excerpt of EN 12874
To help the manufacturers and users decide which flame arrester is the most suitable for their application, the following should be considered:
1. Service
Provide a brief description of the intended use for the flame arrester.
2. Analysis of gases or vapours
Provide full details of flammable and non-flammable components; which will allow the correct flame arrester design, explosion group and choice of materials to be made.
3. Molecular weight or density of gas or vapour
This will allow an equivalent air flow rate to be calculated for pressure drop determination.
4. Flow rate
This should be in volumetric terms, or sufficient information provided to allow a volumetric flow rate to be calculated. For storage tank applications the inbreathing and outbreathing requirements should be given, or sufficient information on the tank type, pressure resistance shape, dimensions, fill and empty rates provided to enable these parameters to be calculated.
5. Temperature ranges
For both design and operating conditions, the maximum and minimum temperatures will allow the correct element and mechanical design of the flame arrester housing to be made.
6. Pressure ranges
For both design and operating conditions, the maximum and minimum pressure will allow the correct flame arrester element and mechanical design of the flame arrester housing to be made. The maximum pressure at which a flammable mixture can ignite in the process should be highlighted if this is different to the normal operating pressure. For storage tank applications the pressure and vacuum requirements should be given.
7. Allowable pressure drop
This will enable the correct flame arrester configuration to be provided and is determined from the volumetric flow rate.
8. Type
Specify in-line, end-of-line, pre-volume, short time or endurance burning safe and stable / unstable detonation as required. For in-line types details of the piping between the flame arrester and possible source of ignition should be supplied in the form of a dimensioned sketch or isometric drawing.
9. Orientation
State the intended orientation of the flame arrester.
10. Pipe size
The nominal size of the connecting pipework should be stated.
11. Connection type
Provide details of the flanged or screwed connections.
12. Housing material
State the preferred material of construction; this may be checked by the manufacturer from an elevation of the mixture
composition and operating conditions.
13. Element material
State the preferred material of construction; this may be checked by the manufacturer from an elevation of the mixture
composition and operating conditions.
14. Construction
Care should be taken when using materials such as aluminium or plastics which can cause incentive sparking or electrostatic charging.
15. Documentation
State documentation requirements.
To help the manufacturers and users decide which flame arrester is the most suitable for their application, the following should be considered:
1. Service
Provide a brief description of the intended use for the flame arrester.
2. Analysis of gases or vapours
Provide full details of flammable and non-flammable components; which will allow the correct flame arrester design, explosion group and choice of materials to be made.
3. Molecular weight or density of gas or vapour
This will allow an equivalent air flow rate to be calculated for pressure drop determination.
4. Flow rate
This should be in volumetric terms, or sufficient information provided to allow a volumetric flow rate to be calculated. For storage tank applications the inbreathing and outbreathing requirements should be given, or sufficient information on the tank type, pressure resistance shape, dimensions, fill and empty rates provided to enable these parameters to be calculated.
5. Temperature ranges
For both design and operating conditions, the maximum and minimum temperatures will allow the correct element and mechanical design of the flame arrester housing to be made.
6. Pressure ranges
For both design and operating conditions, the maximum and minimum pressure will allow the correct flame arrester element and mechanical design of the flame arrester housing to be made. The maximum pressure at which a flammable mixture can ignite in the process should be highlighted if this is different to the normal operating pressure. For storage tank applications the pressure and vacuum requirements should be given.
7. Allowable pressure drop
This will enable the correct flame arrester configuration to be provided and is determined from the volumetric flow rate.
8. Type
Specify in-line, end-of-line, pre-volume, short time or endurance burning safe and stable / unstable detonation as required. For in-line types details of the piping between the flame arrester and possible source of ignition should be supplied in the form of a dimensioned sketch or isometric drawing.
9. Orientation
State the intended orientation of the flame arrester.
10. Pipe size
The nominal size of the connecting pipework should be stated.
11. Connection type
Provide details of the flanged or screwed connections.
12. Housing material
State the preferred material of construction; this may be checked by the manufacturer from an elevation of the mixture
composition and operating conditions.
13. Element material
State the preferred material of construction; this may be checked by the manufacturer from an elevation of the mixture
composition and operating conditions.
14. Construction
Care should be taken when using materials such as aluminium or plastics which can cause incentive sparking or electrostatic charging.
15. Documentation
State documentation requirements.
