Some observations on explosion development in process pipelines and implications for the selection and testing of explosion protection devices

In recent years there has been continuing interest in the potential hazards from detonations in pipelines. The interest has arisen in several instances due to the introduction of vapour recover systems, as part of measures to limit environmental emissions. These environmental pressures initially coincided with the preparation of new European-wide test procedures for explosion arrester devices and, more recently, moves to develop a new international ISO standard for the certification and approval of detonation arrester devices. It is an opportune time therefore to review current understanding of explosion development in pipelines and to consider the implications for plant design and explosion arrester selection and testing.