Deflagration and explosion suppression and isolation apparatus for contained hazardous material

Abstract

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 ( ).