Understanding in-line deflagration and detonation in process safety

  • Gas
  • August 19, 2025

Flammable gas mixtures can burn in different ways, depending on their chemical composition, pressure, turbulence, and the shape of the space in which they ignite. These combustion behaviours are a critical consideration when designing protective devices such as flame arresters.

An explosion is a rapid oxidation or decomposition reaction that produces a sudden rise in temperature, pressure, or both. A deflagration is a type of explosion that travels at subsonic speed, while a detonation moves faster than the speed of sound.

In pipelines, an in-line deflagration is a flame front that moves along the axis of the pipe, preceded by a pressure wave. Its speed can range from slow to near sonic levels, influenced by factors such as the fuel-to-air ratio, pipe diameter, obstructions, and turbulence.

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