Fike Corporation

Midwest Research Institute

John E Going

Jef Snoeys

Brian R Cage

William A Staggs

Marc Van Den Schoor

Paul G Gorman

Michael J Thornburg

Sven J R De Vries

Daniel R Soderberg

A method and apparatus employing a hydrofluorocarbon agent for preventing a large volume of contained flammable fuel from exploding are disclosed. Generally, a method of the present invention comprises detecting a hazardous condition proximate the contained flammable fuel and applying a hydrofluorocarbon agent to an area proximate the fluid within 3&#x2013;5 seconds of the hazardous condition detection. An apparatus according to the invention comprises a sensing device () for detecting the presence of a hazardous condition proximate a quantity of contained flammable fuel (), and a discharging unit including a pressurizable vessel () containing therein the hydrofluorocarbon agent, and a discharge nozzle () located proximate the contained flammable fuel () and operably coupled with the vessel ().

Pre-inerting method and apparatus for preventing large volume contained flammable fuels from exploding

Deflagration suppression and explosion isolation system ( ) is provided for contained hazardous material. Containment structure ( ) for a highly flammable, particulate or gaseous material is connected by a conduit ( ) to an area ( ) for collection or processing of the material. Normally, the particulate gaseous material is conveyed via the conduit ( ) to the collection or processing area ( ). However, the conduit is of a length and configuration such that upon unforeseen ignition of the material in the containment structure ( ), flame and combustion generated pressure resulting from the incipient explosion in the containment structure can course along the conduit ( ) connected thereto toward the collection or processing area ( ) in the form of a deflagration front that transitions into a detonation stage before reaching the collection or processing area unless adequately suppressed and isolated. A pressure detector ( ) is connected to the containment structure ( ) for detecting a rapid rise of pressure in the containment structure indicative of an incipient explosion. A suppressant device ( ) communicates with the conduit ( ) in disposition to direct a fire suppression agent into the conduit to prevent the flame and combustion generated pressures from the incipient explosion in the containment structure from transitioning from a deflagration stage to a detonation stage in the conduit. A gate valve assembly ( ) is provided in the conduit downstream of the suppressant device ( ) which has a gate member ( ) which is closed in tandem with release of the suppressant agent into the conduit to isolate the flame and combustion generated pressures and thereby prevent the flame and combustion generated pressures from entering the collection or processing area ( ).

Deflagration and explosion suppression and isolation apparatus for contained hazardous material

An isolation gate valve (10, 10a, 10b, 124, 146, 210) is provided which has a valve body (12, 126, 212) presenting a passageway (14, 214) therethrough; a shiftable, apertured gate member (18, 224) is located within the body (12, 126, 212) and is shiftable between a valve open position permitting flow through the passageway (14, 214) and a valve closed position wherein the member (18, 224) is shifted into a flow-blocking relationship relative to the passageway (14, 214). A valve actuator (20, 130, 220) is provided which includes a gas-generating cartridge unit (22, 22a, 22b, 222) which, upon actuation, generates a charge of high pressure subsonic gas for shifting the gate member (18, 224) at a velocity of about 0.2 to about 0.33 in./msec. Preferably, the actuator includes a piston housing (56, 56a, 56b, 256) having a piston (72, 72a, 72b, 272) therein with a piston rod (71, 71a, 71b, 271) coupled between the piston (72, 72a, 72b, 272) and the gate member (18, 224). In the valve open position, the piston (72, 72a, 72b, 272) is adjacent the cartridge unit (22, 22a, 22b, 222) and is oriented so that the pressurized gas from the cartridge unit (22, 22a, 22b, 222) shifts the piston (72, 72a, 72b, 272) thereby closing the valve (10, 10a, 10b, 124, 146, 212). A dampener unit (99, 299) is provided in a association with the gate member (18, 224) to effect predetermined, controlled deceleration thereof as the gate member approaches its fully actuated position.

Gas cartridge actuated isolation valve

A continuous emission monitoring system is disclosed for detecting toxic substances of various types in either stack gas or ambient air. Particular systems are illustrated for monitoring lewisite and chromium(VI). Each system employs a gas sampler that utilizes a high-volume, wet cyclone concentrator unit which scrubs the contaminants from the gas into water or another suitable scrubbing solution. In-line chemical processing of the contaminated sample thus obtained is accomplished either within the sampling unit or by an external chemistry processing module. After processing to provide an analyte in the sample indicative of the presence of a predetermined contaminant, the sample stream is delivered to an ion chromatograph or other analyzer to determine the presence and quantity of the analyte and indicate whether a danger level has been reached. This provides monitoring on an essentially real-time or near real-time basis.

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Kansas City, MO, United States of America

John E Going