(24c) A Versatile Approach to Explosion Vent Design for Enclosures Handling Flammable Vapors

Calculations for explosion venting in flammable vapor systems are often done using established methods documented in NFPA 68. It is understood that these equations may under predict vent area where enclosures are congested or the environment in the enclosure is initially turbulent. For new designs, it is helpful for design teams to have the flexibility to choose from a number of potential venting configurations. This paper reviews a methodology that was developed and implemented for several projects where computational fluid dynamics was used to evaluate enclosure design parameters for a range of vent configurations. The results of the modeling simulations were then fit to a lumped parameter model for deflagration venting developed in part by Vladimir Molkov. The end result is an equation that can be used by the design team as needed to finalize the design minimizing the use of computer modeling resources.