Abstract: Deflagration suppression and explosion isolation system (10) is provided for contained hazardous material. Containment structure (12) for a highly flammable, particulate or gaseous material is connected by a conduit (16) to an area (14) for collection or processing of the material. Normally, the particulate gaseous material is conveyed via the conduit (16) to the collection or processing area (14). However, the conduit is of a length and configuration such that upon unforeseen ignition of the material in the containment structure (12), flame and combustion generated pressure resulting from the incipient explosion in the containment structure can course along the conduit (16) connected thereto toward the collection or processing area (14) in the form of a deflagration front that transitions into a detonation stage before reaching the collection or processing area unless adequately suppressed and isolated.

Abstract: Deflagration suppression and explosion isolation system (10) is provided for contained hazardous material. Containment structure (12) for a highly flammable, particulate or gaseous material is connected by a conduit (16) to an area (14) for collection or processing of the material. Normally, the particulate gaseous material is conveyed via the conduit (16) to the collection or processing area (14). However, the conduit is of a length and configuration such that upon unforeseen ignition of the material in the containment structure (12), flame and combustion generated pressure resulting from the incipient explosion in the containment structure can course along the conduit (16) connected thereto toward the collection or processing area (14) in the form of a deflagration front that transitions into a detonation stage before reaching the collection or processing area unless adequately suppressed and isolated.

Abstract: A rate of rise detector assembly (16) for use with explosion suppression equipment (14,18). The detector assembly includes a pressure sensor or transducer (20) and a controller (22). The pressure transducer continuously measures the pressure in a protected area and sends signals representative of the pressure to the controller. The controller samples the transducer every 200 .mu.Sec to obtain a series of successive pressure measurements. The sampled pressure measurements are then stored in a memory table (28) having five positions. Each time the table is filled, the five pressure measurements are averaged to obtain an integrated mean pressure value having a sample time of 1 mSec and then erased from the table so that it can be filled with subsequent measurements. This results in the calculation of a series of mean pressure values each having a sample time of 1 mSec.