Bidirectional anti-explosive arrester, especially for pipe systems.

Technical field

Patent is concerned with bidirectional anti-explosive arrester especially for pipe systems. This arrester is intended for barring and damping of explosion of high explosive medium to prevent industrial accidents especially oil industry, chemical industry, pharmaceutical industry and also food industry.

State of technique history

The fluid and gas substances are used in many industrial branches, which create with air explosive mixtures. It is mainly the petrochemical industry, chemical industry, pharmaceutical industry including food industry. Storage, transport, processing and manipulation with these substances brings explosion risk especially on critical places like ventilation systems of tanks and containers, pipe systems joints and everywhere where is the possibility of contact of these substances with air. Minimization of consequences and the tendency to distract these technical accidents is solved by anti-explosive arresters, which task is to allow free flow of gas and vapours or other media but in case of explosion to prevent flame passing and its transfer from one section to another one.

For this reason is known a range of safety anti-explosive arresters placed in pipe systems, which task is to suppress the explosion in case of explosion of flowing explosive media and to prevent other damages and effect safety in industrial productions, where are these explosive media transported in pipe systems, stocked or manipulated.

An example of known component for anti-explosive arresters is described in patent document CZ-PS 295987, which mentions insert of non-penetrating anti-explosive arresters for placing in the non-penetrating fitting of technological equipment or directly into pipelines, which are formed by frame, in which are alternatively placed bands and discs with wound wire of circle or polygon cross-section, disc wound up, which are fixed by frame and crosswise placed in the pipeline between flanges in the way of passing through media.

Disadvantage of the anti-explosive arrester using this insert is mainly that there is not guaranteed a full suppression ability of individual insert in extreme requirements on high explosive media, which can not be constructed in such axial length without placing higher amount of arresters in the arrester assembly between flanges.

Between single inserts are formed contact points which create unwanted combustion chambers where the unwanted flame re-ignition happens and the final suppression is complicated.

For fitting of the insert in the arrester assembly is required an installation of support crosses and retaining partitions, which partly reduce media flow in the pipeline and in case of explosion create again unwanted combustion chambers and corners in which is the flame initiated and the suppression time is prolonged.

Other known solutions are described for instance in patent documents WO2005014112 and WO2004108219 Leinemann Christoph (DE) where similar disadvantages as described in the CZ-PS 295987 above are.

These solutions use again anti-explosive inserts of similar constructions integrated between pipeline flanges, where dead chambers are formed, reinitiating flame and prolonging by this suppression effect time. Basically every obstacle or chamber in the system, which is situated in the way of explosion is the reason of retardation of detonating wave of explosion creating place of next ignition, and simultaneously causes prolongation of interval needed for suppression of flame.

For effective flame suppression is shown that it needs to create such anti-explosive arrester construction, which allow in the maximum measure continuous flow of media in the pipeline without another outstanding restrictions during working conditions and which in case of explosion allows as few as possible limited intrusion of detonating wave and on the contrary its penetrative suppression in the insert itself, behind which progresses the flame suppressed by decrease of air.

This effect can be reached especially by selectable axial length of suppression insert created as solid monolithic element which through-holes are of the same profile all along its length. Tendency is create placing of this insert in the pipeline system or arrester casing without next auxiliary holding elements so that a minimum of dead spots in front and behind the insert in the direction of media flow. For these reasons is suitable use of segment structure of anti-detonating insert for construction of anti-explosive arrester described in the Czech utility design CZ 16431 U, whose construction allows selective axial length needed for flame suppression for its simple integration into the arrester housing and into the pipeline system and which shows high construction rigidity and strength compliance with requested parameters both media flow and function flame suppressing penetration.

Patent principle

A bidirectional anti-explosive arrester removes above mentioned insufficiencies and largely fulfils the reason of the patent, especially for pipeline systems. It consists of the arrester body connected into a pipeline tubing, in which hole is fitted anti-detonating segment insert according to the patent, whose principle consist in that the arrester body is created by the housing closely copying the outside body profile of the anti-detonating segment insert whereas the housing is equipped on one end with inlet chamber of housing and on the other end with outlet chamber of housing and whereas the inlet chamber of housing and outlet chamber of housing are equipped on their outside end with connecting pipeline thread and whereas the inlet chamber of housing, arrester housing and housing outlet chamber create one rigid compact unit. The inlet chamber of housing and outlet chamber of housing are equipped with axially and radially adjustable flanges. The inlet chamber and outlet chamber are equipped with control holes with plugs. The inlet chamber and outlet chamber are also equipped with thermal sensors and/or pressure sensors and/or detector sensors. The arrester body is equipped with hearing elements with regulation sensors of heating elements. The thermal and/or pressure and/or detector sensors, heating elements and regulation sensors of heating elements are connected to the electronic evaluation unit.

Advantages of bidirectional anti-explosive arrester according to the patent are firstly in that the its construction is one integral very rigid unit which requires very small build-in space, what brings in the pipeline system space saving and improvement of manipulation both installation itself and service works. Design of the arrester with axially and radially adjustable flanges allows easier installation in places with limited spaces for instance for exchange of arresters for another type without the need of reduction of connected length. Design of arrester according to the patent allows flow of media through the arrester with minimum limitation and in case of explosion is its failure rate minimal what allows in many cases repeatable installation of the original arrester in the system or its remaining in the place. Type of construction of the arrester allows placing of pressure, thermal and detection sensors in places, where required values and property of media can be read and monitored

instantaneous state of flowing media and arrester by their connection to the electronic evaluation unit and eventually set read values according to requirements and operation safety. Ion extreme temperature conditions can be installed into the arrester body a heating element with regulation sensor of heating element which ensures heating and operation efficiency of the arrester for low temperatures especially for flow of media with low solidification point in cases like freezing and frost risk of the arrester body itself. The configuration of control holes enables easy visual control of the situation of anti-detonating segment insert during service works

Pictures overview at drawings

In enclosed pictures are illustrated basic construction elements of bidirectional anti-detonating arrester for better understanding of the patent. In the picture no. 1 is the longitudinal central section A-A of inside arrester arrangement with placing of anti-detonating segment insert and picture no. 2 illustrates ground view of the arrester. In the picture no. 3 is visible front view on the arrester with input hole of the inlet chamber of housing and in the picture no. 4 is axonometric view of the arrester body with input hole of inlet chamber of housing. The picture no. 5 shows the longitudinal central section B-B view of the inside arrangement of the arrester with axially adjustable flanges, in the picture no. 6 is a ground plan of the arrester with axially and radially adjustable flanges and the picture no. 7 shows axonometrical view of the arrester body with axially adjustable flanges design.

In the picture no. 8 is shown the housing of the arrester in the longitudinal central section D-D with inlet housing chamber and outlet chamber of housing with thermal and/or pressure and/or detector sensors and in the picture no. 9 is shown the ground plan of the body of arrester with positions of thermal and/or pressure and/or detector sensors, heating elements and regulating sensors of heating elements. Picture no. 10 shows fractional section C-C integration of heating elements and regulating sensors of heating elements in the arrester body.

Picture no. 11 shows front view of the body of arrester with input hole of inlet chamber of housing and placing of thermal and/or pressure and/or detecting sensors and heating elements with regulating sensors.

In the picture no. 12 is shown in axonometrical view the arrester body with placing of individual thermal and/or pressure and/or detecting sensors and heating elements with regulating sensors of heating elements in position of inlet chamber of housing and outlet chamber of housing.

Construction example of the patent

In the picture no. 1 is shown in the longitudinal central section A-A of arrester body 2 which is created by the housing 2λ _. fixed connected with inlet chamber of housing 2J2 and outlet chamber of housing 23 which are on outside ends fitted with connection threads 2.4. 2.5 of pipeline. In the inlet chamber of housing 2,2 and outlet chamber of housing 23 are created control holes 4.4.1 which are provided with caps 5.5.1. In the central part of the housing 2JL is visible anti-detonating segment insert 1 which fits close with all peripheral areas to the housing 2J_ and which is oriented with its inlet front area to the inlet chamber of housing 2,2 and with its opposite outlet area to the outlet chamber of housing 23 in the direction s of media flow. The housing 2J_ is welded with inlet chamber of housing 22 with_outlet chamber of housing 23 in one rigid piece as an advantage. In the picture no. 2 is shown in the ground plan an arrester body 2_with caps 5 of control holes 5.1 provided in this case by sealing screws. Picture no. 3 shows front view of the arrester body 2 where is visible the input opening of the inlet chamber of housing 2.2 equipped with connection thread 2.4 of the pipeline, which is of the same design as the input opening of the inlet chamber of housing 23 on the other side (not drawn). In the picture no. 4 is shown in axonometrical view the arrester body 2 with input opening of the inlet chamber 2.2 and front input area of anti-detonating segment insert LPicture no. 5 shows the longitudinal central section B-B view of the inside arrangement of the arrester 2 where the inlet chamber of housing 2.2 and outlet chamber of housing 23 are equipped with axially and radially adjustable flanges 3.3.1 and opposite arranged couples of control openings 4.4.1. In the picture no. 6 is visible ground plan view of the arrester body 2 equipped with axially and radially adjustable flanges 3.3.1. Picture no. 7 shows in axonometrical view the arrester body 2_equipped with axially and radially adjustable flanges 3.3.1 where is also visible it's overall outside construction arrangement.

Picture no. 8 shows in the longitudinal central section D-D the arrester body 2_where are visible thermal and/or pressure and/or detecting sensors 6, 6.1 and their arrangement in control openings 4.4.1 replacing in this case caps.

In picture no. 9 is shown in the ground plan view the body of arrester 2 with placement of thermal and/or pressure and/or detecting sensors 6, 6.1, heating elements 7. 7.1 and regulating sensors of heating elements 8, 8.1.

Picture no. 10 shows in fractional section C-C the arrester body 2 where are visible heating elements 7, 7.1 and regulating sensors of heating elements 8, 8.1.

Picture no. 11 shows front view of the arrester body 2 with marked placement of thermal and/or pressure and/or detecting sensor 6 in the input opening of the inlet chamber 2 _^ 2, heating element 7 and regulating sensor 8.

In the picture no. 12 is in axonometrical view the arrester body 2 where are visible thermal and/or pressure and/or detecting sensors 6, 6.1 placed in caps of control openings and where is also visible placement of heating elements 7, 7.1 and regulating sensors of heating elements 8. 8.1 on the arrester body 2.

Function of bidirectional anti-detonating insert according to the patent is that in the normal state the media flows through anti-detonating segment insert and through the arrester body 2 in the direction of media flow s without significant limitation, which is given highly acceptable continuity especially of anti-detonating segment insert 1 and also other parts of arrester. Passed amount of media can be satisfied by in advance selection of passing channels dimension of anti-detonating segment insert i and also by selection of dimension of inlet chamber 2.2 and outlet chamber 23 independently on the direction of its flow direction, where the anti-detonating arrester functions in the same way and only inlet chamber 22 is changed into outlet chamber 23_and conversely. In case of explosion occurs very intensive breakthrough of blast wave and followed by flame. Its suppression can be well adjusted both by its axial length and by size of selected cross section of their individual channels because of construction of anti-detonating segment insert L The construction of arrester allows direct passing of blast wave and flame without any transverse obstructions only by using of axial length of anti-detonating segment insert I _x which is one of basic parameters for its requested function. Because it is possible to install anti-detonating insert I into the arrester body 2 like one monolithic unit with any axial length, are so removed single interruptions and connections, which are otherwise normally for current constructions of anti-detonating insert. This causes existence of air gaps and it is reason of next flame initiation and lower

suppression effect of the arrester. To thermal and/or pressure and/or detecting sensors 6, 6.1, heating elements 7, 7.1 and regulating sensors 8.8.1 can be connected electronic evaluation unit and monitor and adjust requested parameters of arrester using computer (PC). Heating elements 7, 7.1 with regulating sensors 8, 8.1 can be used in extreme weather conditions for heating of the arrester body 2 to prevent freeze-up and in these conditions can be warm up passing media with low solidification point to improve passing.