Q-Pipe (Q-Rohr) Q-Box Flameless Explosion Venting System Inside Buildings
The Q-Pipe & Q-Box Flameless Explosion Vent from Atex is a safe indoor venting solution for explosion protection of indoor processes in personnel areas. It uses a stainless steel mesh filter to quench vented explosions and arrest flames.
Features
- Ideal for small volume venting inside buildings.
- Low cost installation and reconditioning after actuation.
- Stand-alone, passive protection system.
- Single integrated unit reduces the need for costly suppression systems.
- Full compliance with NFPA and European requirements.
Available Options
- Wide range of sizes.
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Integrated break-wire monitoring as standard (can be used to actuate secondary protection devices).
Concept and Operation
The Q-Pipe (now also available as a Q-Box) Flameless Vent System was developed in response to a specific need, i.e. explosion venting inside buildings. Traditional explosion venting technologies require a safe venting area (usually outdoors), where there is no risk of secondary explosions or harm to personnel. Explosion vented plant has to be ducted out to a designated (external) safe area (usually within 3 to 6 metres). The only alternative was to strengthen vessels to withstand greater explosion pressures and/or to install relatively expensive explosion suppression systems.
The Q-Pipe design allows venting of explosions without the attendant risks of an external fireball and without the use of vent ducts. It is essentially a flame-arrester comprising a porous, heat-absorbing surface in the form of a pipe. The vented explosion enters the pipe, the gases are cooled as they pass through the porous surface, dust is filtered out and the flame is quenched. The internal surface-area of the Q-Pipe is designed so that the effective vent area is almost the same as if the vent itself was free.
