Vapor Processing & Flame Arrestors
Clogging of the Flame Arrestor is a common problem in process plants. Flame Arrestors prevent flames from spreading further during a fire or explosion, making them essential for safety.
Vapor processing systems are an important application for the removal of hydrocarbon vapors, for example during the filling and emptying of ships or storage tanks with liquids.
Flame Arrestors are installed in piping and consist of very fine channels up to 900 microns (0.9 mm), which ensure that the flames are extinguished. In practice, we often encounter situations where these fine channels effectively act as a filter, which is not the intended purpose of the Flame Arrestor.
How it works: Contaminated stream → Beta solution → Flame Arrestor. Outcome: A clean arrestor that lasts longer and functions safely. Always compliant, always operational.
Proactive protection. Demonstrable ROI.
Bèta-Industrie places the filtration solution before your flame arrestor. It removes particles and aerosols, ensuring your arrestor remains clean, lasts longer, and functions safely. Always compliant, always operational.
Blockage of the Flame Arrestor is caused by a combination of:
- rust and corrosion particles soot and dust
- Not dependent on weather, wind, or season, therefore reliable and predictable.
- hydrocarbons, which are often tar-like and sticky in nature.
The pressure difference increases due to contamination, causing disruptions in operations; ships have to wait longer to load and unload, resulting in (high) costs. An additional and often underestimated problem is that the high pressure and higher gas velocities can lead to a situation where, for example, the extinguishing effect of the flame is no longer guaranteed. For instance, it has occurred that vapor sought another escape route due to excessive pressure in the pipeline.
Flame Arrestors must be cleaned regularly by specialized companies; this can sometimes be planned, but often needs to be performed ad-hoc during ship unloading. Unplanned interim cleanings can be prevented with an effective pre-filter providing sufficiently efficient filtration to capture fouling. Thanks to an effective pre-filter, the Flame Arrestor remains continuously clean, thereby ensuring the safety of the installation and the continuity of operations.
Previously , we had an unplanned stop several times a month due to the clogging of the flame arrestor. On an annual basis, the costs due to downtime, ship delays, and emergency maintenance amounted to well over a million euros. Since the installation of the bag filter system from Bèta Industrie, we have not had that problem again .
Terminal Manager · Loading and unloading company, Botlek
After the installation, our pressure drop decreased significantly and we have not experienced any unplanned downtime. The investment paid for itself within the first year .
Operations Manager, NL
Our downtime problems were truly unnecessary; the problem has now been completely eliminated. The flame arrestor now always functions according to specifications, and we no longer have to worry about safety and unnecessary maintenance costs .
Maintenance Manager · Tank Terminal, Europoort
Contact
Are you curious how BÈTA industrie can advise you on the realization of optimal solutions for essential systems in this industry? Then please contact us by telephone at 079 – 341 55 18 or by email at info@beta-industrie.nl
One clogged flame arrestor can cost you a full production day.
We install a filter system before the arrestor. It captures contamination, prevents pressure buildup, and keeps your operation running. ATEX certified and proven in terminals and tank farms.
