Understanding

and Specifying
Flame and
Detonation
Arresters

This information is proprietary to the Protectoseal Co., and is not

to be duplicated or distributed without prior written consent.
PROTECT AGAINST -----THIS !!!!!!

Tank Farm Fire

 TE
M
EL

PE
FU

RA
T
UR
E
OXYGEN

CORRECT PROPORTIONS OF THE FUEL & OXYGEN

defined as
“THE EXPLOSIVE RANGE”

This information is proprietary to the Protectoseal Co., and is not

to be duplicated or distributed without prior written consent.
Commonly Used Terms

Characteristics and Hazards associated with Flammable Liquids

Flame Transmission

How Arresters Work

Flame Arrester Design and Types

Application Criteria

Testing and Approval Standards

Competition

This information is proprietary to the Protectoseal Co., and is not

to be duplicated or distributed without prior written consent.
 Arresters are designed to stop different types of flame fronts
 Unconfined Deflagrations (unconfined in the atmosphere)
 Confined Deflagrations (confined in vent manifold piping)
 Low Speed Deflagrations with and without a restricted outlet
 High Speed Deflagrations with and without a restricted outlet
 Confined Detonations
 Stable Detonations
 Overdriven (Unstable) Detonations
 Arresters are designed for a specific NEC Gas Group
 Arresters should carry third party approvals, (USCG, UL, FM, etc.)
 …. so, what is a Flame Arresters ??

A Flame Arrester is a device that will prevent a

flame entering a storage tank or stop a flame in
a pipe.

It’s a safety device !

 …So how do we do that ??

1. The vapor is squeezed through holes that are too

small to allow the flame to pass.
2. The Flame Arrester acts as a heat-sink,
removing heat from the flame.
 …. Who says I need one ??

API 2000 says :-

If the tanks vapor space can be within the
flammable range, the user shall determine what
safeguards are required to prevent internal
deflagration …… a flame arrester, the use of
which in an open vent line or on the inlet to the
pressure/vacuum valve, is an effective method
to reduce the risk of flame transmission
(propagation) (4.5.2)
Most arresters are comprised of small
passages or apertures which allow vapors
to flow, but which are too small for a flame
to pass through.
National Electric Code develops the NEC Ratings

International Electrotechnical Commission developed IEC Ratings

NEC IEC
Group A
Group B Group IIB
Group IIC

Group C Group IIB2

Group IIB3
Group IIB1

Group D Group IIA1

Group IIA

This information is proprietary to the Protectoseal Co., and is not

to be duplicated or distributed without prior written consent.
 NEC Gas Groups

NEC Group A Gas

 acetylene

NEC Group B Gas

Butadiene, ethylene oxides, hydrogen, propylene oxide

NEC Group C Gas

Acetaldehyde, cyclopropane, diethyl ether, ethylene

 NEC Group D gas

Acetone, acrylonitrile, benzene, butane, ethane,, gasoline, heptane's, hexane, ethyl ketone,
pentane, propane, propylene, styrene, toluene, vinyl chloride, xylene, methane, methyl
Extract from ISO16852
Extract from ISO16852
 Parallel Plates

• Used in Certain Protectoseal Arresters

• End-of-line arresters, 670’s, 860’s
• Combination P/V Vents w/Arresters, 830’s
• Vent Line arresters. 4950’s

This information is proprietary to the Protectoseal Co., and is not

to be duplicated or distributed without prior written consent.
 Crimped Ribbon Elements
•Used in Protectoseal End-of-Line Deflagration Arresters: 27000, 29000, 31000
•Protectoseal Vent-Line & In-Line Deflagration Arresters: 30000, 45000, 46000
•Protectoseal Detonation Arresters: 25000, 26000, 35000, 36000RP

This information is proprietary to the Protectoseal Co., and is not

to be duplicated or distributed without prior written consent.
Circular disc, plate-type flame arrester

Series 4950 suitable for

NEC Group D Vapors

This information is proprietary to the Protectoseal Co., and is not

to be duplicated or distributed without prior written consent.
Vertically mounted, parallel
plate-type flame arrester

Series 670 suitable for NEC

Group D Vapors, IEC Group IIA

Series 670E suitable for NEC

Group D & C Vapors, and IEC
Groups IIA, IIB

This information is proprietary to the Protectoseal Co., and is not

to be duplicated or distributed without prior written consent.
 Weatherhood

Flame
Vertically mounted, parallel Arrester
plate-type flame arrester

Series 860 suitable for

NEC Group D Vapors

This information is proprietary to the Protectoseal Co., and is not

to be duplicated or distributed without prior written consent.
 Detonation Arresters are required for full bi-directional protection against
 In-line Deflagrations - High Speed and Low Speed
 Stable Detonations, and
 Overdriven Detonations
 Crimped Metal
Arrester Element

Optional flanged or tapped

fittings for drains, pressure
taps or temperature probes

Optional Fitting For

Drains, Pressure Taps
or Temperature
Probes

Series 25000 suitable for

NEC Group D Vapors

This information is proprietary to the Protectoseal Co., and is not

to be duplicated or distributed without prior written consent.
 Crimped Metal
Arrester Element

Optional flanged or tapped

fittings for drains, pressure
taps or temperature probes

Optional Fitting For

Drains, Pressure Taps
or Temperature
Probes

Series 26000 suitable for

NEC Group D & C Vapors

This information is proprietary to the Protectoseal Co., and is not

to be duplicated or distributed without prior written consent.
 Manifolded Venting Systems Require
Protectoseal In-Line Detonation Flame Arresters for Protection

 Confining explosive vapors in manifold piping creates the potential for

explosions in the pipe manifold system from equipment sparking, lightning,
static discharge, etc.

 Detonation Flame Arresters are needed for bi-directional protection from the
extremely high speed and high pressure flame fronts involved in
deflagration/detonations
Protectoseal Detonation Flame Arrester

Protectoseal 18540 Pipe-Away Vent

Protectoseal 4950 Flame Arrester

Protected
Protectoseal 53300 Emergency Manway

Protectoseal Series 20
vapors Pilot-Operated Tank
Blanketing Valve
liquid
  If a flammable vapor is ignited within a confined space such as a pipe the
propagation of the flame front can be defined as a “CONFINED DEFLAGRATION”.

Arrester element breaks the flame front

down into small flamelets, absorbing the
heat and quenching the flame

With travel distance, flame speeds and pressures increase

from:

2.) High pressure deflagrations - to

1.) Low pressure deflagrations - to
  An “OVERDRIVEN DETONATION” occurs after the flame front
transitions from a deflagration to a detonation wherein the flame front
travels at speeds and pressures well in excess of those associated
with a stable detonation.

 A “STABLE DETONATION” is defined as the movement of a flame

front through a gas or vapor at or above the speed of sound in the vapor
medium in which it is traveling.

With travel distance, flame speeds and pressures increase BOOM !!!
from:
5.) Stable Detonations
4.) Overdriven Detonations – to
3.) d to D transition - to
2.) High pressure deflagrations - to Pressure

1.) Low pressure deflagrations - to

  Confined deflagrations / detonations accelerate extremely quickly with the
length of travel, in-line elbows, etc.

• In 16 feet of additional travel a confined flame front,

• Increases in pressure from 5.8 psig to 550 psig
• Increases in flame speed from 550 ft/sec. to 6,400 ft/sec.

• The addition of one 90º elbow

• increases the pressure from1.6 psig to
570 psig
• Increases the flame speed from 180
ft./sec. to 6,200ft./sec.

1 Mile = 5280 FT
Detonation Arrester Element after successfully stopping an Overdriven Detonation
New element

Stopped overdriven Detonation

Understanding the test protocol is critical …..
• 31 tests in the USCG test protocol
• Units must provide BI-DIRECTIONAL protection for full protection against Deflagrations, Overdriven
Detonations, and Stable Detonations, with NO INSTALLATION RESTRICTIONS, (i.e. - within “x” pipe diameters
from the ignition source)

• 5 low pressure deflagrations

• 5 low pressure deflagrations (w/restricted outlet)
• 5 high pressure deflagrations, (up to 5,800 ft/sec.; up to 300 psig) Subsonic deflagrations
• 5 high pressure deflagrations (w/restricted outlet)
• 5 overdriven detonations, (up to 8,200 ft/sec.; up to 4,300 psig) Supersonic detonations
• 5 stable detonations, (up to 6,200 ft/sec.; up to 360 psig) Sonic detonations
• 1 endurance burn
31 tests

• Tests must be done sequentially on one unit

 Detonation Manifold Piping
Arrester
Applied In-Line

Vapor
Destruction
Unit

Storage
Tanks This information is proprietary to the Protectoseal Co., and is not
to be duplicated or distributed without prior written consent.
ENARDO

GROTH

SHAND & JURS

VAREC

STETTLER (Canada)

WESTEC (Canada)

AMAL (UK)

PROTEGO (Germany)

This information is proprietary to the Protectoseal Co., and is not

to be duplicated or distributed without prior written consent.
 Application Specifications

– 45000E Series - Gas Group D, IIA

Maximum Maximum Distance
Size Operating Pressure From Ignition Source
psia bara Burn (mins.) Meters
2” 18.85 1.3 14 2.50 To=60C (140F)
3” 15.95 1.1 12 3.75 50 pipe Dia.
4” 17.40 1.2 12 5.00 (straight run)
6” 15.95 1.1 7 7.5
8” 15.95 1.1 7 10.00
10” 15.95 1.1 7 12.50
12” 15.95 1.1 15 15.00

SEE PRODUCT SHEET FOR FURTHER DETAILS

– 46000E Series - Gas Group C, IIB3

Maximum Maximum Distance
Size Operating Pressure From Ignition Source
psia bara Burn(Mins.) Meters
•2” 17.40 1.2 5 2.50 50 pipe
•3” 15.95 1.1 2 3.75 diameters
•4” 23.20 1.6 3 5.00 (straight run)