NUMERICAL STUDY OF THE PRESSURE DROP IN A FLAME ARRESTOR USING A POROUS MEDIA MODEL

A numerical study of the flow characteristics of a crimped flame arrestor element was conducted using a porous media model. The porous zone was modeled using the Forchheimer equation. The Forchheimer equation was incorporated into the governing conservation equations as a momentum sink. A small-scale crimped flame arrestor element was tested to determine the empirical coefficients in the Forchheimer equation. The numerical simulation result using this porous media model was verified using experimental data. The flow characteristics of a four-inch detonation flame arrestor with the same crimp design as the small-scale sample, was simulated using the porous media model. The numerical simulation flow data were compared against experimental values and agreed to within five percent. The method used to determine the Forchheimer coefficients and the experimental test setup are described in detail. The application of the Forchheimer equation into the governing flow equations is presented. The challenges and limitation of numerical studies in flame arrestors applications are discussed. The simplification gained by using the porous media model in flame arrestor numerical studies is presented.