Blocked inline detonation flame arresters. 1

[LES713]

Hello All,

I have a 6" in-line detonation flame arrester which got blocked twice. I can think of a few logical reasons as to why it happened but in my industry they're just theories and unless there are some facts from experience backing it up you have a hard time explaining it around.

1) Have you had a similar experience (blocked flame arresters)?

a) If so what's the reason behind it?

2) It was proposed that we move the arresters to the end of the lines (replacing them by end of line flame arresters), but it would be impractical for maintenance purposes (difficult access).

a) Do you think that end of line flame arresters are less likely to block-up than the in-line flame arresters?
b) WHY?


Note: I'm not telling yet what's the process fluid because I know what the answer would be (quite embarrassing), and I keep telling everyone the same thing. Please let start with the general case.

Best Regards
your fellow engineer.

 

[Oxidation]

Flame arrestors, by nature are "labryinth" construction & therfore are highly likely to trap any particle of similar/larger size to the sintered pellets of which they are made.
We use flame arrestors in industry on vapor retrun lines, they require flush cleaning once every 18 months or so.

If you have a "dirty" gas/fluid, the you need to consider installing a steam flsuh/blow out sytem in to the pipe work.
If your process fluid is a gas then you could consider a water seal instead of labryinth flame arrestor.

You ask some questions but without knowing your process fluid, it is impossible to give a definitive anser

 

[rmw]

You are mixing terminology and the answer might depend on which you are actually asking the question about.

Flame arrestors and detonation arrestors, while similar in appearance are different devices although they look alike to the untrained.

Which device are you actually asking about?

rmw