Flame arrestor design guidelines

[jabbey]

I need a starting place to gather information on designing a custom flame arrestor. Small air/methane sampling line, would probably need to be flat plate style to minimize clogging, allow easy cleaning. (the sample is never clean gas).

Need to figure out spacing, length, size, etc... There must be a way to get most of the way there analytically, based on energy stored in gas, heat transfer by cooling to metal. Sure would prefer that to guess and test method; I need a working prototype quickly.

Can anyone recommend books/articles/standards/websites?

 

[rmw]

A good starting place for your learning curve would be

http://www.protectoseal.com.

They have a link to the NEC code classifications of various chemicals.

Flame arrestors work on the principle of putting a "lattice" or "honeycomb" type structure in a flow path where there is sufficient area through the overall "honeycomb" for the gas to flow, but each individual passageway is too small for the propagation of a flame occuring using that gas as a fuel source to pass through, and is specific to the gas.

Be sure you learn the difference between flame arrestor, and detonation arrestor, as while they are similar in function, there is a world of difference between a "confined deflagration" or a flame front, and a Detonation, which is supersonic, and just loaded with energy.

There are other manufacurers, and I am sure Google will lead you to them, but this should be a start.

rmw

 

[abcmex]

Usually the design of a flame arrestor is certified by auditors (like UL listed). Skip the hassle; go to

http://www.protego.com

or

http://www.protectoseal.com

or similars an buy a reliable solution.
RGS

 

[tkequipments]

I would advise not to try to design it by yourself, but rather to take direct contact with specialists like Shand&Jurs in US or Elmac in UK.
Normally this kind of equipment has to be approved by agencies such as UL, FM or ATEX