Systems and methods for reducing an overpressure caused by a vapor cloud explosion
AssigneeExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
InventorNorbert Baron
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for reducing an overpressure caused by an explosion of a vapor cloud are provided. In one or more embodiments, the system can include one or more sensors operable to detect the explosion of the vapor cloud. The system can also include one or more igniters operable to ignite the vapor cloud at locations throughout, after the explosion of the vapor cloud is detected, to provide a discrete combustion zone at each location. Each combustion zone can form a discrete pressure wave, thereby reducing the overpressure caused by the explosion of the vapor cloud.
Claims17
A system for reducing overpressure caused by an explosion of a vapor cloud, comprising:
- a plurality of sensors operable to detect the explosion of the vapor cloud, wherein the plurality of sensors are capable of detecting one or more of a presence of a flame, an increase in pressure, a presence of an acoustic sound or a thermal emission, each of which are caused by the explosion of the vapor cloud;
- a plurality of igniters operable to ignite the vapor cloud at multiple locations after the explosion of the vapor cloud is detected, wherein each of the one or more igniters provides a discrete combustion zone, and each combustion zone forms a discrete pressure wave, thereby reducing overpressure caused by the explosion of the vapor cloud;
- and
- at least one controller operably connecting the plurality of sensors to the plurality of ignitors to control the operation of the plurality of igniters in response to the detection of one or more of the presence of a flame, an increase in pressure, the presence of an acoustic sound or a thermal emission by at least one of the plurality of sensors.
A method for reducing an overpressure caused by an explosion of a vapor cloud in a facility, comprising:
- detecting the explosion of the vapor cloud, wherein detecting the explosion of the vapor cloud includes sensing at least one of a flame caused by the explosion of the vapor cloud, a pressure wave caused by the explosion of the vapor cloud, an acoustic emission caused by the explosion of the vapor cloud, heat caused by the explosion of the vapor cloud, or any combination thereof;
- and then
- igniting the vapor cloud in at least one location to provide a discrete combustion zone at each location, wherein each combustion zone forms a discrete pressure wave, thereby reducing the overpressure caused by the explosion of the vapor cloud.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.