Explosion Protection Systems

In a matter of milliseconds, your IEP Technologies Explosion Suppression System is designed to detect the buildup of pressure during an explosion and discharge an explosion suppressant into the enclosed space before destructive pressures develop. The suppressant works by interfering with the explosion’s reaction, by removing heat from the deflagration’s flame front and thereby lowering its temperature below that needed to support combustion. The explosion suppressant also creates a barrier between the unburnt combustible particles to prevent the further transfer of heat.

Explosion isolation systems are designed to detect an explosion in a process vessel, and then create a barrier that reduces the risk of the flame/explosion propagation to other interconnected equipment. Such explosion propagation is likely to give rise to an enhanced (more intense) explosion in any connected vessel than would be expected from a simple ignition in that vessel. Explosion isolation is a proven method of reducing the risk of such enhanced explosions, and may be an essential requirement to attain a sufficient risk reduction from the overall explosion protection system.

Explosion isolation can be applied to vessels that are protected by containment, suppression or venting systems.

Explosion venting entails the incorporation of a frangible panel or membrane into the top or side of process plant equipment so that the overpressure of an explosion is released into the atmosphere. Venting is a proven explosion protection strategy where it can be safely applied.

For many years the most common explosion protection strategy was venting. Used correctly, explosion venting remains a viable strategy. While venting is usually the most cost effective method of explosion protection, there are circumstances where venting is impractical and explosion suppression a preferable option.

Since the goal of explosion venting is to release the explosion overpressure before the process vessel is damaged, burnt and unburnt dusts and vapors are released through the vent opening. The ejected fireball, with a typical volume eight times or more larger than the vessel volume, must be released to a safe area. It is important to note that since explosion venting only relieves the deflagration pressures from the vented process vessel, post-explosion fires are to be expected. Appropriate fire control measures should be incorporated into the process plant safety design. In addition, explosion propagation through connected ductwork is likely to occur, so explosion isolation is required.