Are flame arresters installed at the vent points of each stage of the hydrogen and nitrogen compressor?
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All fertilizer manufacturers have hydrogen and nitrogen compressors; are flame arresters installed on the vent lines of each stage? Is it necessary to set it up? Let’s discuss it?
I don’t think it’s necessary; just keep the vent pipes away from sources of fire.
As required, a flame arrester must be installed; for example, according to Clause 9.1.2.5 of the Safety Technical Regulations for Small Nitrogen Fertilizer Plants, all vent pipes shall have conduits leading outside the building, and at a height above the factory structures. The vent pipe located in the outdoor equipment area should be at least 2 meters above the highest operating position occupied by people in the vicinity. A safety water seal or flame arrester should be installed on the vent pipe for combustible gases, when necessary. The vent pipe should be within the protection range of the lightning protection facilities.
According to regulations, it is advisable to install a flame arrester at the outlet of the vent main. However, most compressors used in ammonia synthesis are oil-lubricated, and the vented gas contains a significant amount of oil, which can easily cause the flame arrester to become clogged and require frequent maintenance. In fact, it is sufficient to install steam fire suppression pipes on the main vent pipe.
There’s no need! Just add fire-suppression steam!