TECHNOLOGY

At the heart of most fuel explosions sits an unprotected fuel tank. ATOM^® focusses on protecting that fuel tank.

EXPLOSIONS IN FUEL STORAGES

Listed first on any Fire & Explosion Safety Audit, the protection of fuel storage is of prime concern due to their vulnerability.

To secure fuel safety, Flammable Fuel storage Zones (ATEX Zones 0, 1, 2) demand a prevention solution that works beyond traditional hazard warning systems and fire mitigation devices.

Why fuel tank explosions are a hazard and a threat multiplier

Reflection

The magnitude of the explosion escalates due to the reflection within the walls of an enclosed container.

Higher Flammability

Used fuel tanks carry residual fuel vapour even when empty. The higher flammability of fuel vapour makes empty or half-empty tanks more hazardous.

Domino Effect

One fuel tank explosion can trigger a domino effect with secondary & tertiary explosions of unprotected fuels in its vicinity.

FIRE TO EXPLOSION: WHAT HAPPENS

“Explosion is the rupture of an enclosure or a container due to the development of internal pressure due to deflagration”

NFPA 69 (National Fire Protection Association)

WORKING
PRINCIPLE

ATOM^® Explosion Prevention System is based on three principles viz. Thermal Conductance, Flame Quenching and Structured Packing.

Every ATOM^® fuel storage unit is designed with an inbuilt passive protection module that is made from patented intervolving of a reticulated alloy mesh.

This module works by its passive physical presence – without the requirement of a triggering chemical reaction or human intervention.

WORKING
PRINCIPLE

ATOM^® Explosion Prevention System is based on three principles viz. Thermal Conductance, Flame Quenching and Structured Packing.

Every ATOM^® fuel storage unit is designed with an inbuilt passive protection module that is made from patented intervolving of a reticulated alloy mesh.

This module works by its passive physical presence – without the requirement of a triggering chemical reaction or human intervention.

IN UNPROTECTED FUEL STORAGE

Fuel-air mixture gets ignited when it meets a spark or ignition source. The flame traces its way back to the source of the fuel – the storage unit. Accelerated by combustion, the flame triggers uncontrolled deflagration in the non-combusted fuel mixture inside the enclosed container. Reflected by the walls of the enclosure, the pressure rises and the uncontrolled deflagration escalates to supersonic detonation. The shock wave pushes outwards instantly disintegrating the container and transforming it into high velocity projectiles.

ATOM^® FUEL STORAGE UNITS

When the flame travels back to or within the fuel storage unit, the passive protection module within ATOM^® instantly dissipates the heat across the entire module and arrests the movement of the flame front. The deflagration is suppressed and thus prevented from escalating to detonation and explosion. The deflagration results only in smaller contained fires that can be easily addressed / extinguished / allowing time for mitigation interventions and even decantation of fuel during the fire.

TECHNOLOGY MEETS DESIGN

Balancing technological innovation with design requirements is a constant need in safety solutions. ATOM^® has applied existing and derived scientific knowledge to design engineering to create the ATOM^® Explosion Prevention system; which provides a range of advanced explosion-resistant fuel storage solutions for different sectors and applications and fuel types.