Patent Number: 052308596
Section: abstract

To ensure safe removal of flammable explosive gaseous mixtures, the flammable mixtures are burned and/or recombined in partial volumes of the container separated from the rest of the container by metal grilles (18,19). The combustion is thereby prevented from spreading by the principle of the Davy safety lamp. The combustion and/or recombination in the partial volumes is effected by means of ignition sources (20), such as electric sparks, hot surfaces, open flames and/or catalytic surfaces. The heat energy released during combustion is transferred by means of cooling devices such as heat pipes. The temperature of the grille is sued to control the energy supply of the ignition source(s) and should never exceed approximately 2/3 of the ignition temperature of the flammable gaseous mixture; when the temperature reaches 3/4 of the ignition temperature, a fuse cuts off the energy supply. If the grille suffers mechanical damage, it touches an electrically insulated internal grille. This spark-free contact triggers an electrical switch which cuts off the power supply to the ignition and/or glow plugs. Detonatable H2-air mixtures can thereby be removed without the risk of explosion.