Louvered jet fire deflector – concept and concept validation for flame length reduction, flame deflection and explosion overpressure reduction

Abstract

In hydrocarbon processing industries, the standard approach to prevent jet fire escalation to adjacent facilities is to provide a solid fire wall. However, a solid firewall impedes the air flow through the plant, decreasing ventilation and increasing the potential flammable gas cloud size resulting in the generation of higher explosion overpressures if the gas cloud finds an ignition source. The conflicting impact of solid fire walls in preventing jet fire escalates but conversely increasing the potential explosion overpressures is a perennial design issue faced by safety engineers. This paper presents an alternate louvered jet fire deflector design concept; along with the validation work undertaken to demonstrate the explosion overpressure reduction benefits of the louvered wall application. This louvered jet fire deflector concept was subsequently engineered, fabricated, tested and has been incorporated into the plant design. This paper is written to increase the knowledge and awareness of safety engineers of an alternate option to optimise and balance the fire and explosion risk management.