Patent Abstract:
A combination of a flame arrestor with a reflection suppressor is provided which not only arrests an advancing flame front, but also suppresses or mitigates a reflection wave that is generated by a pressure wave that passes through the combination and continues on to a pipe restriction what generates a reflection wave that proceeds back to the combination. At the combination, the reflection suppressor suppresses and/or mitigates the reflection wave, thereby avoiding a heightened pressure in the combination that could cause a re-ignition and a new flame front and pressure front. The reflection suppressor has a tapered profile that permits a pressure wave to pass along and past the reflection suppressor as it leaves the combination but that impedes and mitigates a returning reflection wave produced by the pressure wave striking a pipe restriction and causing such a returning reflection wave.

Full Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM  
       [0001]     This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/279,213, filed Mar. 27, 2001. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to flame arrestors equipped with reflection suppressors.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Flame arrestors are passive devices designed to prevent propagation of gas flames through pipelines. A flame arrestor incorporates a permeable barrier known as an element which is usually a matrix of metallic, ceramic or mixed materials that define a permeable barrier containing narrow channels. An element removes heat and free radicals from a flame at a rate which is fast enough to quench the flame and to prevent reignition of the hot gas on the protected side (downstream relative to the direction of flame propagation along a pipe) of the arrestor.  
         [0004]     A flame arrestor is located in a pipeline carrying a flammable gas, and the design of a flame arrestor can vary greatly depending upon application, location and use conditions. For example, a best design for a particular installation may take into account flow resistance, maintainability and cost.  
         [0005]     For purposes of evaluating efficacy of a particular flame arrestor for particular flame arrestor applications, various testing protocols have been developed that aim to address most adverse conditions encountered. In, for example, the case of marine vapor control systems in the United States, the testing and application of flame arrestors is regulated by the U.S. Coast Guard.  
         [0006]     A flame arrestor can be used to arrest deflagrations and detonations. A deflagration is a combustion wave propagating at less than the speed of sound as measured in unburned gas immediately ahead of the flame front. Flame speed relative to unburned gas is typically 10-100 m/s (meters per second), but, owing to expansion of hot gas behind the flame, several hundred meters per second may be achieved relative to a pipe wall. Although the pressure peak coincides with the flame front, a marked pressure rise precedes it, so that the unburned gas is compressed as the deflagration proceeds, depending upon flame speed and available vent paths. The precompression of gas ahead of the flame front establishes the gas conditions in the arrestor when the flame enters it and hence affects both the arrestment process and the maximum pressure generated in the arrestor body.  
         [0007]     As a deflagration travels through piping, its speed increases due to flow-induced turbulence and compressive heating of unburned gas ahead of the flame front. At a flame speed approaching sonic velocity, a deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) can occur with associated abnormally high velocities and pressures. At the instant of transition, a transient state of overdriven detonation is achieved and persists for a few pipe diameters. After the decay of such conditions, a stable detonation state is attained. A detonation is a combustion-driven shock wave propagating at the speed of sound, as measured in the burned gas immediately behind the flame front. Stable detonations propagate at sonic velocities relative to an external fixed point. A wave is sustained by chemical energy released by shock compression and ignition of unreacted gas. The flame front is coupled in space and time with the shock front, with no significant pressure rise ahead of the shock front.  
         [0008]     The high velocities and pressures associated with detonations require special element design to quench the high-velocity flames plus superior arrestor construction to withstand the associated impulse loading. In practice, this entails narrower and/or longer element channels plus bracing of the element facing.  
         [0009]     The problem of flame arrestment, either of deflagrations or detonations, depends on the properties of the gas mixture plus the initial pressure. Since gas mixture combustion properties cannot be quantified for direct use in flame arrester selection, flame arrester performance must be demonstrated by realistic testing.  
         [0010]     A severe deflagration arrestment test involves placing a restricting orifice behind the arrestor (that is, upstream relative to the direction of wave propagation). Such a restriction produces a so-called reflection wave that travels back to the flame arrestor from the restriction and increases the degree of precompression. Such “restricted end” deflagration testing constitutes a severe deflagration arrestment test, yet such testing is believed to represent an operating environment that can exist in fact from various conditions, such as when, for example, a closed or partially closed valve in a pipe is located upstream from a functioning arrestor in the pipeline. Such testing has demonstrated that arrestors capable of stopping even overdriven detonations may fail under restricted end deflagration test conditions.  
         [0011]     The art of flame arrestors needs improved apparatus and methods for achieving arrestment in environments where reflection waves can be generated upstream relative to the direction of wave propagation and be propagated back to a flame arrestor. The present invention provides such improvements.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     More particularly, this invention is directed to a combination of a flame arrestor with a reflection suppressor, and to a process for using same.  
         [0013]     The invention aims to control, including minimize and suppress, reflection waves produced in a pipeline.  
         [0014]     The invention can be practiced with various types of flame arrestors, and is suitable for use in various flame arrestor applications. The reflection suppressor that is provided in accord with the present invention is located adjacent to an interior end region of an arrestor in a common housing. This end region is chosen so as to be an end of the arrestor that is downstream relative to the direction of flame and pressure wave propagation, but that is upstream relative to the direction of reflection wave propagation.  
         [0015]     The flame arrestor can be either of the deflagration arresting type or of the anti-detonation (or so-called detonation arresting) type. A detonation flame arrestor may also be usable as a deflagration flame arrestor. Preferably, in the practice of this invention, the inventive combination employs a flame arrestor of the detonation type and that has opposite end portions that adapt the combination to be mounted in a pipeline.  
         [0016]     Preferably, in the inventive combination, a reflection suppressor is provided adjacent each opposite end portion of the combination, whereby the combination is adapted to suppress a reflected wave that reaches either end portion of the combination.  
         [0017]     The reflection suppressor employed in the combination is a body having tapered sidewalls. The body has a longitudinal length such that it is axially positionable in an end region of a housing that also holds the flame arrestor, and the body is centered and longitudinally adjacent to the flame arresting housing. The tapered body has an apex end portion and a base end portion that is longitudinally spaced from the apex end portion. In a housing, the base end portion has a substantially larger cross-sectional area than the apex end portion. The longitudinal length of the tapered body is preferably such that the base end portion is located approximately adjacent to an outlet aperture of the common housing while the apex end portion is located approximately adjacent to an end region of the flame arrestor. Preferably, the flame arrestor is located in a mid-region of the common housing.  
         [0018]     Preferably the combination is easy to assemble and maintain.  
         [0019]     Other and further aims, purposes, objects, features, advantages, embodiments and the like will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the present specification taken with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]     In the drawings:  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a longitudinal, medial, partial sectional view through an embodiment of the inventive combination of a flame arrestor with a reflection suppressor, some parts being broken away and some parts being shown in section;  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a vertical sectional view taken along the line II-II of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  but showing the combination with two reflection suppressors;  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic view of another embodiment of a combination of a flame arrestor with a reflection suppressor; some parts being broken away and some parts being shown in section;  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the reflection suppressor such as employed in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 and 4 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 6 . is an apex end elevational view of the reflection suppressor of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational view similar to  FIG. 5  but showing an alternative embodiment of a reflection suppressor;  
         [0028]      FIG. 8  is an apex end elevational view of the reflection suppressor of  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 9  is a side elevational view similar to  FIG. 5  but showing an alternative embodiment of a reflection suppressor;  
         [0030]      FIG. 10  is an apex end elevational view of the reflection suppressor of  FIG. 9 ; and  
         [0031]      FIG. 11  is a diagrammatic, fragmentary vertical sectional view through an end region of an inventive combination that is similar to the  FIG. 1  embodiment but that illustrates an alternative embodiment that incorporates two reflection suppressors in an inward end region of the common housing. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0032]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is seen an illustrative embodiment  50  of the inventive combination of a detonation flame arrestor  51  with a reflection suppressor  52 . The combination  50  is comprised of metal components, preferably steel or steel alloy. The combination  50  employs a common housing  53  for the flame arrestor  51  and for the reflection suppressor  52 .  
         [0033]     The housing  53  is cross-sectionally circular and axially elongated, and has a generally circular aperture  55  and  56  defined at each respective opposite end thereof. The mid-region  57  of the housing  53  is diametrically enlarged, has a generally uniform diameter, and has side wall portions defined by a circumferentially extending sleeve  58 . Transversely across but within each respective opposite end  67 ,  68  of sleeve  58  (and mid-region  57 ) a circular, apertured retaining wall  59  and  60 , respectively, is located. The walls  59  and  60  are supported and connected by an axially extending elongated bolt  62  whose respective opposite ends are each threadably associated with a nut  63 .  
         [0034]     The apertured walls  59  and  60  can be comprised of plate stock, but, preferably are alternatively fabricated of cross bars that are welded together at abutting and cross-over regions. Other constructions can be employed, as those skilled in the art appreciate.  
         [0035]     Longitudinally adjacent each respective opposite end  67 ,  68  of sleeve  58  is located a frusto-conical section  64  and  65  of housing  53 . Each section  64  and  65  provides a longitudinally tapered region that declines in cross-sectional area proceeding from each opposite end  67 ,  68  of sleeve  58  to an adjacent aperture  55 ,  56 , respectively. In the region of each aperture  55 ,  56 , each section  64 ,  65  defines a terminal cylindrical portion  69 ,  70 , respectively, and each cylindrical portion  69 ,  70  is joined at its outer end, by welding or the like, to a pipe connecting flange  72 ,  73 , respectively. The sleeve  58  adjacent end portion of each frusto-conical section  64 ,  65  terminates in an integrally associated, longitudinally short, cylindrical flange  74 ,  75 , respectively. Outer surface portions of each flange  74 ,  75  are joined preferably by welding to a sleeve abutting flange  76 ,  77 , respectively.  
         [0036]     During assembly of the combination  30 , each flange  76 ,  77  is longitudinally abutted against an opposite end  67 ,  68  of the sleeve  58 . In aligned relationship with one another, apertures (not shown) defined in the outstanding portions of each respective flange  76 ,  77  have extended therethrough a plurality of circumferentially preferably equally spaced tie rods  80 . The respective opposite ends of the tie rods  80  are threadably associated with nuts  81 , so that longitudinal compressive force exerted by the rods  80  and their associated nuts  81  hold the housing components in assembled relationship.  
         [0037]     Positioned between the walls  59 ,  60  within the sleeve  58  is a fill of crimped steel plates or the like (not detailed but conventional). Various flame arrestor fill media are known to the prior art and can be employed, including fill structures having a honeycomb configuration (in cross section), packed steel or ceramic spheres (or other spherical media) parallel or stacked crimped metal plates, stacked wire mesh (such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,730), and the like.  
         [0038]     The walls  59 ,  60  taken with the fill material can be considered to comprise the “element” of a flame arrestor, as those skilled in the art will readily appreciate. The element is porous and adapted for the passage of a gas therethrough that is flowing a rate within a predetermined range in the pipeline across which the inventive combination  50  is connected. The design of the element varies from one intended installation to another. Also, the element design may be influenced and sometimes controlled by the criteria specified in a test protocol to which the element has been subjected (or could be subjected) and passed. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, many variations in the design of a particular element are possible and are used. It is an important feature and advantage of the present invention that the reflection suppressor can be associated with a flame arrestor virtually without regard to the structure or operating characteristics of an element without detracting from the capacity of the reflection suppressor to reduce or eliminate the effect of a reflection wave upon the element.  
         [0039]     In the frusto-conical section  65  of the housing  53 , the reflection suppressor  52  is located. The reflection suppressor  52  has side wall portions  86  that extend between a base portion  87  and an apex portion  88  thereof. The reflection suppressor  52  has a longitudinal or axial length  89  (see  FIG. 5 ) that is shorter than the distance between the orifice or aperture  56  and the adjacent wall  60  of the element. Also, the reflection suppressor  53  has a cross-sectional area along its length between the base portion  87  and the apex portion  88  that generally declines with increasing distance from the base portion  87 . Further, the base portion  87  has a cross-sectional area that is less than the cross sectional area of the orifice or aperture  56 . While the reflection suppressor  52  has side wall portions  86  that are here conically tapered which is preferred, a reflection suppressor, as below described, can have other side wall configurations, if desired.  
         [0040]     Mounting means is provided for mounting (including holding and supporting) the reflector suppressor  52  in the frusto-conical section  65 . The reflection suppressor  52  is preferably (and as shown) centrally positioned in the section  65 . The base portion  86  is located adjacent to the orifice  56  in section  65 . In embodiment  50 , the mounting means is achieved by mounting the apex portion  88 , by welding or the like, to the adjacent nut  63  and by positioning a spider  90  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) circumferentially about side wall portions  86  adjacent to the base portion  87 . The spider  90  is sized to fit in the neck region of the terminal cylindrical portion  65 . However, various convenient alternative mounting means may be employed for a reflection suppressor as those skilled in the art will readily appreciate.  
         [0041]     Optionally, the housing  53  is provided with fittings  78  for drains, pressure taps, or temperature probes.  
         [0042]     In the combination  50 , normal gas flow in a pipeline to which the combination  50  is connected can proceed in either direction (relative to the apertures  55  and  56 ) through the housing  53 , including through the element as defined by walls  59 ,  60  and the fill therebetween, and around the reflection suppressor  52 . However, when a flame front and associated pressure wave occur in the associated pipeline at a location at a distance from the combination  50 , the flame front and associated pressure wave propagate towards the combination  50  and reach the combination  50  through the input pipe  91 , the combination becomes operational. Owing to the design of the detonation flame arrestor  51 , the flame front is suppressed upon reaching and entering the arrester  51  owing to the relationship between the passageways through the element and the heat sink capacity of the element. However, the pressure wave passes through the element and the arrestor  51  and around the reflection suppressor  52  and moves into and onwards in the output pipe  92 . Upon reaching a restriction (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) in the output pipe  92 , a reflection pressure wave is generated that moves in the opposite direction and so travels back in the output pipe  92  to the combination  50 .  
         [0043]     As those skilled in the art will appreciate, and as the results of various studies and tests have ascertained and confirmed, a restriction in a pipe can be caused by various factors and pipe discontinuities, such as a bend in the pipeline, a coupling, a valve that perhaps is not fully closed or open, and other flow path changes. Theoretically, if the pressure wave encounters no restriction, then no reflection pressure wave is produced. When a reflection pressure wave is produced and enters a flame arrestor, a sudden pressure increase occurs therein causing a so-called over-pressure situation within the flame arrestor  51 , which can result in a re-ignition and propagation of a new flame front and pressure front outwardly from the region of the flame arrestor in the pipeline.  
         [0044]     The reflection suppressor  52 , when the reflection wave reaches the combination  50 , restricts the flow of the high pressure reflection wave front back into the housing  53  of the combination  50 . The reflection wave is either reflected back harmlessly into the output pipe  92  or the pressure is absorbed by the reflection suppressor  52  and the adjacent portions of the housing  53 .  
         [0045]     By retaining the base portion  87  in an open configuration, some energy of the reflection wave is resultingly absorbed by the open base upon reaching the reflection suppressor  85 .  
         [0046]     Since it is not always possible to predict that a wave front and associated pressure wave will approach a combination  50  from only one direction along the associated pipeline, it is advisable and indeed preferred to provide a combination  100  that is similar to the combination  50  but that contains a second reflection suppressor  85  located in the frusto-conical section  64 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , where components similar to those in  FIGS. 1 and 2  are similarly numbered but with the addition of prime marks thereto for convenient identification purposes. The reflection suppressor  85  is similar to the reflection suppressor  52 , but is oriented in a reverse direction, and operates similarly but with gases moving in an opposite direction.  
         [0047]     By suppressing or diverting a reflection wave, the reflection suppressor avoids potentially catastrophic results in the region of the combination  50 .  
         [0048]     Another embodiment of a combination of flame arrestor  10  and reflection suppressor  30  is illustrated in  FIG. 4 , this arrangement being similar to that of  FIG. 1 , but is adapted for testing in accord with a test protocol.  
         [0049]     This embodiment has the combination associated with an inlet pipe  12  and an outlet pipe  14  in a pipeline. The configuration shown in  FIG. 4  includes a restricted end  16  on outlet pipe  14 . It is understood, however, that flame arrestors such as flame arrestor  10  can be installed in multiple pipeline configurations. Restricted end  16  is depicted in  FIG. 4  for convenience in describing a reflective pressure front (below). Inlet pipe  12  is secured to the inlet side  18  of the flame arrestor  10  in a known manner. Likewise, outlet pipe  14  is secured to the outlet side  20  of the flame arrestor in a known manner.  
         [0050]     The precise internal configuration of flame arrestor  10  varies with the type of fill media inserted which may be determined by the desired application. It is understood that known internal configurations for a flame arrestor  10  are acceptable for the present invention, such as for example, the flame arrestor apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,233. Additional known flame arrestor fill media include structures having a honeycomb configuration (in cross section), packed steel or ceramic spheres (or other spherical media), parallel or stacked plates, stacked wire mesh (such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,730) or the like. It is understood that flame arrestor  10  of  FIG. 4  and of the present invention could be configured to include such fill media, and other known configurations, within its internal cavity  11 .  
         [0051]     Flame arrestor  10  as depicted in  FIG. 4  includes a pair of perforated or apertured end plates, each  22 , which support a central bolt  24  secured by nuts  26  and  28  for the purpose of description herein. However, it is understood that the combination of the invention utilizes a common housing for the flame arrestor and the reflection suppressor. In place of end plates  22 , other apertured wall means can be used such as welded cross bars or the like. Also, in place of central bolt  24 , and nuts  26  and  28  other mounting and supporting arrangements can be used.  
         [0052]     Flame arrestor  10  includes in the outlet end  20  of the common housing a reflection suppression device  30  of the present invention. Reflection suppressor  30  is positioned on the outlet side  20  of flame arrestor  10  between the fill media contained within internal cavity  11  and outlet pipe  14 . In a construction such as depicted in  FIG. 4  wherein the flame arrestor  10  includes a center bolt  24 , reflection suppressor  30  is fitted with a nut  28  which threads onto center bolt  24  in the same manner as bolt  26  threads onto the opposite end of center bolt  24 . In an embodiment where a center bolt is omitted, reflection suppressor  30  may be affixed to the outlet side  20  of flame arrestor  10  by other known means, most commonly welding.  
         [0053]     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , views of the reflection suppressor  30  are provided. As shown, reflection suppressor  30 , in its preferred embodiment is of a conical or frusto-conical longitudinal geometry. The nut  28  is secured to the tapered end (vertex) of the reflection suppressor  30 . Nut  28  may be secured by any known means, but is preferably welded thereon. As stated above, it is understood that reflection suppressor  30  may be configured without nut  28  and welded directly to the end plate  22  on the outlet side of flame arrestor  10  or affixed directly to the fill media contained within internal cavity  11 .  
         [0054]      FIGS. 7 and 8  show an alternate reflection suppressor  34  of the present invention. In this alternate preferred embodiment, reflection suppressor  34  has a pyramidal geometry. As with the embodiment  30 , the alternate embodiment  34  of  FIG. 4  is secured to nut  28  in the manner described above in embodiment  30 .  
         [0055]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show an alternate reflection suppressor  35  which has a hemispherical geometry.  
         [0056]     The geometries of the present embodiments of  FIGS. 5, 7  and  9  can each be considered to include a vertex  32 , an altitude  36 , and a base  38 .  
         [0057]     The side walls of a reflection suppressor  30 ,  34  or  35  can be, if desired, porous or perforated. The bases of such reflectors can be continuous, porous, perforated or open.  
         [0058]     A reflection suppressor in the inventive combination may incorporate, if desired, two successive, serially arranged and centrally positioned tapered bodies that are preferably each conically configured, such as the bodies  94  and  95  in the fragmentary alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 . Both bodies  94  and  95  are located in a single end region, such as in frusto-conical section  65 ′ of the housing  53 ′ combination  50 ′ illustrated in  FIG. 11  and both bodies are frusto-conically configured. The outward body  95 , against which an advancing reflection wave first impinges, preferably has smaller dimensions than the inward body  94  against which the advancing reflection wave secondarily impinges. To mount the bodies  94  and  95 , a plurality of spiders  90 ′ are illustratively employed, with the apex of the body  95  being illustratively received in and mounted across the base of the body  94 ; however, alternative arrangements can be employed.  
         [0059]     The significance of the geometry of a reflection suppressor, such as suppressor  30 , is next described. Referring to  FIG. 4  and as stated above, reflection suppressor  30  is positioned on the outlet side  20  of flame arrestor  10  such that vertex  32  is positioned adjacent the fill media contained within internal cavity  11  and base  38  is positioned toward outlet pipe  14  in the direction of flow within the pipeline. The configuration (shape) and position of reflection suppressor  30  is important. The shape of reflection suppressor  30  may be such that the vertex end  32  does not unduly impede the gas flow through and away from flame arrestor  10  in the direction of flow in the pipeline, yet restricts the flow in the opposite direction back into the flame arrestor  10  from the outlet side  20 .  
         [0060]     In other words, the size of base  38  and the length of altitude  36  are such that reflective wave fronts traveling counter-flow relative to an initiating pressure wave within outlet pipe  14  are restricted from re-entering flame arrestor  10  through outlet side  20 . The shape, the reflection suppressor which is preferably conical preferably offers little or no flow restriction to a pressure wave leaving the flame arrestor but preferably offers a significant flow impediment or restarting effect on a reflection wave that would, but for the reflection suppressor enter the flame arrestor. As a reflection suppressor configured, a pressure front which may cause flame arrestor  10  to fail is restricted. Although the conical geometry of  FIG. 5  and the pyramidal geometry of  FIG. 7  and the hemispherical geometry of  FIG. 9  may be considered to be preferred embodiments of reflection suppressors, it is understood that other geometries are contemplated provided that flow in the desired direction on the outlet side  20  from flame arrestor  10  is not undesirably impeded while the reverse flow in the counter-direction into the outlet side  20  is desirably restricted. In order to accomplish this, a reflection suppressor such as suppressor  30 , should be configured to taper from base  38  down to vertex  32  along altitude  34 .  
         [0061]     With reference to  FIG. 4 , the direction of flow within the pipeline is shown by arrow  40  within inlet pipe  12 . Arrow  40  depicts the direction of flow into the inlet side  18  of flame arrestor  10 . Flow continues through the internal cavity  11  of flame arrestor  10  containing the fill media and exits flame arrestor  10  through outlet side  20  past reflection suppressor  30  as shown by arrows, collectively  42 . Flow continues through outlet pipe  14  and impinges upon restricted end  16 .  
         [0062]      FIG. 4  is depicted with restricted end  16  for convenience and for test protocol purposes in order to show a reflection directed back toward flame arrestor  10  as depicted by arrow  44 . The reflected wave front then travels counter-flow through outlet pipe  14  back toward the outlet side  20  of flame arrestor  10 . As shown by arrow  46 , the reflected pressure front contacts reflection suppressor  30  through base end  38  and is restricted from reentering the internal cavity  11  of flame arrestor  10 . Reflection suppressor  30  then re-deflects the pressure front back toward restricted end  16 .  
         [0063]     In the case where the material within the pipeline is ignited and traveling through inlet pipe  12 , the fill media contained within internal cavity  11  of flame arrestor  10 , when acting correctly and as designed, extinguishes the flame in the manner described above. However, the heated combustion gases contained within internal cavity  11  of flame arrestor  10  will exit through outlet side  20  past reflection suppressor  30  creating a pressure head directed down the length of outlet pipe  14 . When the high pressure front is reflected by restricted end  16  back toward the outlet side  20  of flame arrestor  10 , the reflection suppressor  30 , positioned therein restricts the flow of the pressure front back into the internal cavity  11  and reflects it back harmlessly toward restricted end  16  within outlet pipe  14 . Reflection suppressor  30  restricts the flow of the high pressure front back into internal cavity  11  which has been otherwise known to cause an over-pressure situation within internal cavity  11  causing flame arrestor  10  to fail which may cause catastrophic results.  
         [0064]     As stated above,  FIG. 4  depicts a restricted end  16  for the convenience of illustrating the reflection of the pressure front back toward flame arrestor  10  to illustrate the effectiveness of reflection suppressor  30 . It is understood, however, that in a pipeline design, reflected pressure wave fronts can be caused by a variety of discontinuities such as a bend in the pipeline, a coupling, a valve and many other such flow-path changes.  
         [0065]     A combination of the invention can be used with a wide variety of pipes, for example with pipes having inside diameters ranging from about 2 to about 24 inches. Typically and preferably, the mid-region of the housing of a combination of the invention ranges from about 1.5 to about 4 times the average cross-sectional area of a pipeline with which the combination is associated although larger and smaller such ratios can be employed if desired.  
         [0066]     Although the reflection wave suppression capability of a combination of this invention is very useful at relatively low pipe internal gas operating pressures, an inventive combination is particularly advantageous at relatively high pipe internal gas operating pressures, where elevated pressures of dangerous levels can be quickly attained when a flame front and associated pressure wave occur, and the necessity to dissipate or reduce such elevated pressures becomes necessary to avoid catastrophic consequences. So far as is known, no other passive device is known which has the pressure dissipating capacity of the present invention particularly at high operating pipe pressures.  
       EXAMPLES  
       [0067]     A number of tests were conducted using a combination of a flame arrestor with a reflection suppressor in a configuration as illustrated in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0068]     The pipe diameter was 8 inches. The test protocol was as provided in 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 154-Appendix A—“Guidelines for Detonation Flame Arrestors” involving restricted outlet deflagration arrestor testing. The gas mixture was 7% ethylene plus air.  
         [0069]     In each of the tests, a flame arrestor, including a crimped ribbon fill media design, was employed with the difference only being the use of the reflection suppressor in Tests 1-10. In these tests, a flame was generated at an ignition point located 20 feet from the inlet side of the flame arrestor. The results of the tests are depicted in Table I. In Table I, Po is the initial pressure, P 2  is the maximum final explosion pressure and P 2 /Po is a calculated pressure ratio. All measured pressures were expressed in absolute psi values. As illustrated, Table I includes a total of seventeen (17) tests, ten (10) with the reflection suppressor of the present invention and seven (7) without. For each test, the pressure (P 2 ) was measured at the inlet side of the flame arrestor.  
         [0070]     As reflected in Table I (below), of the ten (10) tests of the flame arrestor including the reflection suppressor of the present invention, the flame arrestor passed. In contrast, as depicted in Tests 11-15, the flame arrestor without the reflection suppressor of the present invention failed in 3 out of 5 tests. In Tests 16 and 17, a different flame arrestor of the same design (as Tests 11-15) was employed in order to be certain that the flame arrestor of Tests 11-15 was not defective. As shown in Table I, Tests 16 and 17, the flame arrestor failed in each test.  
                                                             TABLE I                                       With/Without               Pressure at           Reflection   Ignition       Test No.   arrestor (P2)   P2/Po   Pass/Fail   Suppressor   Point***                                1   35   2   Pass   with   20       2   51.42   3.49   Pass   with   20       3   19.19   1.3   Pass   with   20       4   28.7   1.95   Pass   with   20       5   16   1.23   Pass   with   20       6   27.83   1.89   Pass   with   20       7   39.9   2.7   Pass   with   20       8   39.7   2.7   Pass   with   20       9   44.82   3.04   Pass   with   20       10    37.65   2.56   Pass   with   20       11    5.27   0.35   Fail   without   20       12    7.178   0.488   Fail   without   20       13    25.78   1.75   Pass   without   20       14    7.178   0.488   Fail   without   20       15    43.8   2.97   Pass   without   20       16*   22   1.5   Fail   without   20        17**   24   1.6   Fail   without   20                 *Same design different arrestor            **Same design different arrestor            ***Location 20 forward of this entrance to the flame arrestor/reflection suppressor combination             
 
         [0071]     Other and further embodiments, applications, features and the like will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5