Flame Arrestors
NAO FLAME ARRESTORS
Engineered Flame Arrestors for Critical Process Safety
NAO designs and manufactures high-performance Flame Arrestors engineered to protect vessels, storage tanks, flare systems, stacks, and process equipment from the dangers of flame propagation and explosive gas ignition.
Every flame arrestor is custom-engineered to meet the specific requirements of your application, ensuring reliable protection while maintaining optimal process performance.
Deflagration and Detonation Protection
Our flame arrestor product line includes both deflagration and detonation arrestors designed to stop flame fronts before they can enter and damage critical equipment. These systems provide proven protection against flashback events in applications where flammable gases, vapors, or air-fuel mixtures are present.
By dissipating heat from the advancing flame front and reducing temperatures below the ignition point of the process gas, NAO Flame Arrestors help prevent explosions, equipment damage, production downtime, and personnel hazards.
Designed for Demanding Industrial Environments
NAO Flame Arrestors are widely used throughout:
- Oil & Gas Facilities
- Chemical Processing Plants
- Petrochemical Operations
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
- Power Generation Facilities
- Bulk Storage and Loading Terminals
- Waste Gas and Flare Systems
Custom-Built to Your Requirements
Every installation presents unique operating conditions. That’s why NAO offers custom-engineered solutions with:
- Vertical or horizontal installation configurations
- Wide range of pipe and vessel connection sizes
- Optional water spray systems for cleaning and cooling
- Carbon steel, stainless steel, and specialty alloy construction
- Designs tailored to specific process gases and operating conditions
- Integration with new or existing systems
Protecting Critical Assets
NAO Flame Arrestors help safeguard:
- Storage tanks
- Pressure vessels
- Process piping
- Loading terminals
- Flare stacks
- Vent systems
- Vapor recovery systems
Our solutions are designed to provide dependable protection while minimizing maintenance requirements and maximizing operational reliability.
Complete Flashback Prevention Solutions
In addition to flame arrestors, NAO manufactures a full range of wet and dry systems designed to prevent air ingress, flashback, and flame propagation throughout industrial process systems.
Whether you’re designing a new installation or upgrading existing equipment, our engineering team can help identify the most effective solution for your application.
Reach out to NAO today to discuss your process requirements and explore the full range of flame arrestor and flashback prevention technologies available.
Flame Arrestor FAQs
What is a flame arrestor?
A flame arrestor is a passive safety device that stops a flame from traveling through a pipe or into a vessel. It works by absorbing and dissipating heat as gas passes through narrow channels, lowering the temperature below the ignition point so the flame cannot propagate. NAO builds them to protect tanks, flare systems, vents, and process equipment.
How does a flame arrestor work?
Inside the arrestor, the flammable mixture passes through a bank of narrow passages, typically a crimped metal element or parallel plates. These channels split the flame front into small streams and pull heat away faster than it can be generated. The flame loses energy, cools below its ignition temperature, and is quenched before it reaches the protected side.
What is the difference between a deflagration and a detonation flame arrestor?
The key difference is the speed of the flame front. A deflagration arrestor stops a flame moving slower than the speed of sound, which is typical near an ignition source or at a vent. A detonation arrestor stops a much faster, higher pressure flame front that has accelerated down a long run of pipe. NAO selects and sizes the element for the exact condition your system can produce.
What is the difference between an in-line and an end-of-line flame arrestor?
An end-of-line arrestor mounts at an open point such as a tank vent or the outlet of a vent line, protecting against flame entering from the atmosphere. An in-line arrestor installs within piping between two pieces of equipment, protecting against a flame traveling through the line itself. Piping geometry and the location of the ignition risk determine which design applies.
When are flame arrestors required?
Flame arrestors are generally required wherever flammable vapors can meet an ignition source, including storage tank vents, vapor recovery lines, flare and vent systems, and loading terminals. Requirements are driven by codes and standards such as OSHA regulations, API 2000, NFPA, and EPA emissions rules, along with insurer and site safety requirements.
What industries use industrial flame arrestors?
They are used across oil and gas, petrochemical and chemical processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, power generation, and bulk storage and loading terminals. Any facility that stores or moves flammable gases, vapors, or liquids may need flame arrestors to protect personnel and assets.
What materials are flame arrestors made from?
NAO manufactures flame arrestors in carbon steel, stainless steel, and specialty alloys. Material is selected based on the process gas, temperature, pressure, and any corrosive or high purity requirements. Units are available for vertical or horizontal installation with a range of connection sizes.
How often should a flame arrestor be inspected and cleaned?
Inspection frequency depends on the service, but arrestors should be checked on a regular preventive schedule and after any flame event. Over time, the element can collect debris, polymer, or corrosion that restricts flow, so periodic cleaning keeps the arrestor effective and maintains proper venting. NAO offers optional water spray systems to assist with cleaning and cooling.
What is the difference between a flame arrestor and a flame arrester?
They are the same device. “Arrestor” and “arrester” are two accepted spellings of the same word, and both refer to a device that stops flame propagation. The term flame trap is sometimes used for the same purpose.
How do I select the right flame arrestor?
Selection depends on the gas group or MESG of the vapor, the flame type the system can produce (deflagration or detonation), the flow rate and allowable pressure drop, the operating temperature and pressure, and the connection size and orientation. NAO engineers each unit to the specific application, so sharing your process conditions lets us match the correct element and housing.