Regarding whether equipment such as storage tanks and reactors should be of explosion-proof type
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Question: Does a storage tank for butanol (with a flash point of 29 degrees) need to be explosion-proof? Must the preheater for n-butyl aldehyde (flash point of -22°C) be of explosion-proof type? Are there any relevant standards specifying whether the equipment should be explosion-proof?
I’ve never heard of equipment being of an explosion-proof type or anything like that! Electric motors come in explosion-proof types, increased safety types, and so on. Storage tanks and preheaters cannot prevent explosions on their own; it is not clear whether measures such as insulation, static electricity grounding, and safety valves are sufficient to achieve the explosion prevention level mentioned by LZ. :lol
Agree with the comment above. Storage tanks are protected against leaks of gases and liquids inside them, as well as against overpressure and fires, through measures such as insulation, static electricity grounding, safety valves, flame arresters, and pressure alarms. The tank itself, like those used for Class A liquids, usually features a weak roof structure; in the event of an explosion, the roof is pushed open while the tank walls remain intact, preventing large-scale leakage of liquid and thus avoiding an exacerbation of the fire