Explosion relief venting
Explosion relief is a reliable form of explosion protection, unfortunately, it is very easy to apply it incorrectly. Each of the systems described here has specific advantages, but also a number of limitations. When carrying out tasks at our customers’ sites, we often see that these protection systems are applied without taking these limitations into account. This brings about several conventions, the most important of which are the lack of effective blast protection and the problems with obtaining an insurance policy.
The most affordable protection method for use outside buildings. Flames and pressure are released into the environment (danger to people and equipment). The need to demarcate a danger zone.
Single-use protection method for indoor and outdoor use. Flames and pressure are NOT released into the environment. Reduced risk of fire in the apparatus after an explosion.
Reusable protection device for indoor and outdoor use. Flames and pressure are NOT released into the environment. Minimal risk of fire in the apparatus after an explosion.
Security for coal and alternative fuels. For use outside buildings. Flames and pressure are released into the environment. Minimal risk of fire in the apparatus after an explosion
Are you looking for a system without the above restrictions?
Check the explosion suppression systems
If the above systems have too many limitations, and you are looking for the most advanced explosion protection system, then be sure to check out explosion suppression systems. This is the solution free of the restrictions listed above. Often, this is also a perfect solution in terms of price, especially when considering the longer term use and installation costs.
See also:
Explosion isolation
The isolation complements the explosion protection system mentioned above. The purpose of the explosion isolation is to isolate the device in which the explosion occurred from the rest of the system. This eliminates the risk of pressure and fire going over onto adjacent equipment, which would lead to very dangerous secondary explosions. Why is it so dangerous? Because the fire and pressure are characterised by much higher dynamics and energy, and there are no safeguards to protect us in such a situation.
Prevention
According to the ATEX Directive, the employer, in order to protect property and the health and life of workers, should implement measures to prevent and minimise the effects of an explosion. This approach is based on the fact that although the safeguards can significantly reduce the risk of explosion, they can never provide 100% safety. We are facing a similar approach in our cars. Despite a number of preventive measures such as the ABS system, every car has crash mitigation measures which include air bags, seatbelts or structural reinforcements.
which system will be the best value for money and ensure compliance at the same time?
You are protected by our insurance
Only those who do nothing make no mistakes. And while the quality of the work carried out is a priority for us, it is not possible to completely eliminate human error. Unforeseen production stoppages or product contamination during the installation of a system might result in considerable losses. Similarly, a mistake during the design and installation of an explosion protection system can have dire consequences. That is why our insurance policy protects both us and your establishment from unforeseen costs. We have probably the highest insurance policy on the market.
Large and fast service is important
Don’t risk costly downtime of your installation
Would you buy a car that doesn’t have a Polish service center? Or if such a service center only had three employees and had to import spare parts from abroad? Probably not. And in a similar situation, would you buy security systems for your production facility, on which the continuity of its operation depends? Would you risk an unjustified downtime and losses amounting to hundreds of thousands of zlotys? Meanwhile, some companies providing explosion-proof security systems either do not have a Polish service center or rely on just 2-3 employees. The problem can also lie in the availability of spare parts warehouses, which are often located outside of Poland. That’s why we have created the largest 24/7 service center in the industry, along with a large component warehouse.
Emergency number 24/7
+48 508 484 508
Selected countries in the world
where our customers’ production facilities are located
20 service technicians
5 fully equipped brigades
We complete formalities in accordance with local law.
We provide permissions in accordance with local law.
Work in potentially explosive areas.
Work in fire-risk areas.
Quick reaction.
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Explosion relief venting – discover the solutions
Explosion relief consists of taking the effects of the explosion (mainly pressure) through the venting system, outside the device subject to protection. As a result, the pressure inside the device is reduced to a safe level.
Three basic types of relief systems are available on the market, i.e. decompression panels, flaps with a self-closing mechanism and so-called flameless relief systems. The latter – due to their special design – can be used indoors. Others, due to the direct discharge of the blast wave into the atmosphere, should be used outdoors.
Scope of work
- Development of risk assessment and/or ORD and implementation of ATEX training
- Design of a complete explosion protection system
- Delivery, installation, and service
Decompression panels – key features
- Their function is to open during an explosion and throw a wave of pressure and fire outwards. This ensures that the pressure inside the apparatus even during an explosion is below the design strength.
- For each unit, the required decompression area and panel layout should be calculated and determined in accordance with the standards
- In a perfect situation, the panels should be arranged symmetrically on both sides of the instrument but this is not always possible. Incorrect placement of panels, coupled with high explosive recoil force, can result in destruction of the entire unit
- The range of the escaping wave of fire and pressure can be up to 60 m long and up to 20 m wide.
- The ATEX Directive and harmonised standards are clear: panels must not be directed into other buildings,on the system’s elements or traffic routes
- Panels must not be used with toxic substances either, as well as indoors
- There is an exception for an indoor use, i.e. the panels can be used in wall- or ceiling-mounted units. Additional ventilation ducts are then used that lead the explosion outside the room
Discussion: Examples of incorrectly fitted decompression panels
Learn more about cost-efficient decompression panels
Vigilex VL anti-explosion panels
Vigilex VL explosion venting panels: maximum vacuum pressure: 50 mbar; burst pressure: 100 mbar ±15% at 20°C; material(s): stainless steel grade 304L (SST430 frame).
Vigilex VD anti-explosion panels
The Vigilex VD explosion venting panels are cost-efficient explosion relief devices with a maximum vacuum pressure of 200 mbar.
Vigilex VL-S anti-explosion panels
The Vigilex VL-S explosion venting panels feature a maximum vacuum pressure of 50 mbar and a burst pressure of 100 mbar ±15% at 20°C. Material(s): stainless steel 304L; single flat membrane design.
Vigilex V-FLEX anti-explosion panels
The Vigilex V-FLEX venting panels feature a maximum vacuum pressure of 50 mbar and a burst pressure of 100 mbar ±15% at 20°C; single convex membrane.
Brilex GE decompression panels
Brilex GE relief panels are the ideal solution for protecting process equipment, where frequent and prolonged cycles of vacuum and overpressure occur. A distinctive feature of these dampers is domed design, which gives the panels resistance to negative pressure without the need for additional vacuum solutions.
Brilex KE decompression panels
Brilex KE relief panels are the economically ideal solution for protecting process equipment, where the vacuum does not exceed 60% of the rated opening pressure. Brilex KE panel is a widely used explosion vent protection worldwide, as it is certified for Kst values up to 650 bar m/s and 100% venting efficiency.
Brilex KER decompression panels
Brilex KER relief panels are ideal for use in bucket elevators, atmospheric tanks and other protected instruments where there is no variable pressure. One of the many advantages of this panel is the structurally reinforced edges, which allow installation without the need for an outlet flange, thus reducing costs of installation.
Browse the range of decompression panels for demanding applications
- BT-ODV three-layer safety plate (U), BT, BT-VSI
- Single-layer EDP relief panel
- Single-layer EX-GO-VENT (EGV) relief panel
- Single-layer ERO relief panel
- Plate burst signalling type SK, BIRD
Decompression panels stanowią prosty, a zarazem niezawodny system chroniący przed skutkami wybuchu. Jednak ze względu na szereg ograniczeń, ich zastosowanie często jest ograniczone lub niemożliwe. Dlatego też przy doborze tego rozwiązanie należy zachować szczególną ostrożność.
Flameless explosion relief – key features
- The panel bursts into the centre of the structure, i.e. the heat exchanger. The blast has to get through a thick layer of tightly woven steel mesh. This leads to extinguishing of the fire and cooling down the flue gases.
- It is not necessary to designate such a large safety zone around the device, as with the decompression panels. In this case, we are talking about single metres.
- Can be used in a closed room provided that the volume of the room is at least 15 times the volume of the instrument to be protected. This is because the flue gas expelled is approximately 10 times the volume of the protected instrument.
- Must not be used for toxic materials.
Discover the offer in the field of flameless explosion venting systems
EVN type explosion relief valve
The EVN type explosion relief valves are protective systems as defined in the ATEX Directive. The EVN 2.0 type explosion relief valves have been tested for performance with the following dust groups: starch, plastic, resin, toner, sugar, wood, MDF, cellulose (fibrous dust), coal, and peat.
Vigilex VQ flameless explosion venting system
VigilEx VQ provides explosion protection to indoor equipment and machinery by flameless explosion venting with dust protection. There is no egress of clean or burned dust. The overtemperature is minimised.
Q-ROHR-3 flameless explosion venting unit
The Q-ROHR-3 system provides flameless explosion venting for nearby equipment units, instruments and personnel. The solution protects processing instruments which are in hazard of explosion and installed in large buildings or outdoor, potentially with personnel nearby, as well as for explosion protection of silo vessels, cyclone separators and air filters. A major group of those installations include sterile / clean-room compliant applications.
Q-BOX flameless explosion venting unit
The Q-ROHR-3 system provides flameless explosion venting for nearby equipment units, devices and personnel. The solution protects processing devices which are in hazard of explosion and installed in large buildings or outdoor, potentially with personnel nearby, as well as for explosion protection of silo vessels, cyclone separators and air filters. A major group of those installations include sterile / clean-room compliant applications.
Self-closing vents – basic features
- Rarely used – mostly for coal dust and in the cement industry
- The system automatically closes after an explosion – the lack of air supply protects the device from fire.
- At the time of explosion, the flap is released from its latches and the lid of the explosion venting flap opens
- 80% of the flap recoil forces generated is subjected to are absorbed by the resulting air cushion between the flap and the steel reflector plate.
- The residual recoil forces of the flap ensure that it is deflected by the rebound plates to ensure that it closes again automatically when the explosion is relieved by cutting off the air supply.
- Lightweight aluminium flap design to ensure no loads are transferred to the instrument structure.
- the spring latch in the flap allows the initial flap enables setting the opening pressure (standard 0.1 bar g).
Discover the offer in the field of explosion relief flaps
TT‑Uni‑K round explosion relief dampers
TT‑Uni‑K round explosion relief dampers are used for protection of tanks and silos against damage from explosion by controlled relief and venting of explosion products into the atmosphere. The damper closes itself following an explosion relief action (the damper isolates the flow of air).
RLE‑S square explosion relief dampers
The RLE-S square explosion relief dampers provide protection from explosion. The most usual applications include protection of filters, electrostatic precipitators and drying units against damage from explosion. The damper system closes itself following an explosion relief action and isolates the flow of air.
Principle of operation of an explosion relief system
The purpose of the explosion relief system is to guide the explosion outside the instrument to a safe location so as not to destroy the device. It is important to stress that this is not a safety system that prevents an explosion from occurring. The explosion relief helps to neutralise the effects of the explosion to a safe level. This is one of the permitted forms of protection against the effects of an explosion, which is directly mentioned in the ATEX Directive and the harmonised standards.
The video above shows the effects of activation of the various explosion protection systems.
- The first explosion shows a case when a decompression panel was used. The explosion takes a form of a wave of pressure and fire, is carried upwards by the bursting of the panel mounted there.
- The second explosion demonstrates the principle of operation of the flameless explosion relief system. Thanks to the special design, only the cooled flue gases from the explosion escape through the panel, as the design extinguishes the fire trying to escape.
- The third explosion is not about relieving the explosion, but its suppression – read more about explosion suppression
What other important information can be seen in this video? Well, if we are protecting instruments which are connected to other equipment in an industrial installation, e.g. via a pipe network, even the correct choice of relieving surface and installation location will not protect the entire installation. The explosion moves like a ball – evenly in all directions. Hence, in most cases, explosion relief without explosion decoupling creates a risk of transmitting the explosion to other pieces of equipment.
Consequences of poor choice of safeguards and lack of decoupling
The explosion relief system must be selected according to the explosive parameters of the material being processed in the instrument. The case of the aluminium dust explosion at Hayes Lemmerz shows the consequences of poorly applied safeguards. Incorrect decompression surface resulted in a burst inspection door. And consequently, it led to an uncontrolled direction of the fire and pressure wave spreading outwards from the device. If there had been other equipment or personnel near the inspection door, they could have been damaged or seriously injured. In addition, the device was not equipped with an explosion isolation system, as a result of which the fire and pressure spread throughout the plant, destroying the installation and injuring an employee.
