- Author
-
Mauger, J. W.
- Title
- Experimental Analysis of the Effectiveness of Using 30X30 Steel Mesh Flame Screens to Prevent Flashbacks in Propane-Air Mixtures.
- Coporate
- Worcester Polytechnic Inst., MA
- Report
-
Thesis
May 1997
119 p.
- Keywords
-
flashback
|
propane
|
flame arrestors
|
quenching diameter
|
flame extinguishment
|
data analysis
|
equipment
- Abstract
- The purpose of this thesis was to conduct an experimental analysis of flashback through flame screens used in maritime applications. Two modes of flashback were identified and studied: flashback through the screen, and flashback through a possible gap in the flange supporting the screen. A laboratory scale apparatus was designed to test the two modes of flashback. the apparatus consisted of two chambers (upper chamber volume=40.6 liters; lower chamber volume=16.3 liters) separated by a 12.7 cm diameter flame screen. The mixture was ignited in the upper chamber and the flame was allowed to propagate downward toward the flame screen at near atmospheric pressure. If the flame passed through the screen (or gap), the mixture in the lower chamber was ignited causing a secondary explosion. the experiments were observed and recorded with video equipment. the video observations and thermocouple readings in the chamber were considered for evidence of flashback.