Flame arrestor apparatus

An apparatus for extinguishing a flame travelling along a pipe where the flame is characterized as a deflagration flame or a detonation flame, said apparatus comprising:

• i) a housing with an inlet and an outlet and means for connecting said inlet and said outlet to said pipe,
• ii) a flame extinguishing device,
• iii) means for securing said device in said housing,
• iv) said device including a plurality of serially arranged elements, each element having a plurality of longitudinally extending channels,
• v) means for inducing turbulence in a flow of the flame through said elements, said turbulence inducing means being positioned between adjacent elements of said elements, said turbulence inducing means having a plurality of surfaces for obstructing direct flame flow exiting from each and every one of said plurality of channels of one of each said adjacent elements to induce turbulent flow in the flame entering each and every one of said plurality of channels of another of each said adjacent elements, said surfaces inducing such turbulent flow in the flame entering said plurality of channels of said other adjacent element enhancing thereby heat transfer from the flame into said other adjacent element, respectively,
• vi) said device having a sufficient number of said elements to extinguish the flame travelling along said pipe in which said apparatus is connected, and
• vii) means for sealing said elements to said housing to direct said flame flow solely through said elements and said turbulence inducing means.