Which component is used to prevent backflow of flame into the piping system?

Which component is used to prevent backflow of flame into the piping system?

• A. Flame arrestor
• B. Heat exchanger
• C. Vent
• D. Damper

Answer: (A)

A flame arrestor is designed to stop a flame from traveling back into the piping. It sits in the flow path and uses a dense mesh or a series of narrow passages to cool the flame and interrupt the flame front. When the flame cools enough, it can’t continue propagating upstream, effectively preventing flashback into the system. This is exactly the function needed to protect gas lines and equipment from backflow of flame. The other devices don’t serve this purpose: a heat exchanger moves heat between fluids and isn’t about stopping flame propagation; a vent provides a path to the atmosphere but doesn’t extinguish or block flame; a damper controls airflow and drafts but doesn’t reliably quench a flame or prevent backflow.

A flame arrestor is designed to stop a flame from traveling back into the piping. It sits in the flow path and uses a dense mesh or a series of narrow passages to cool the flame and interrupt the flame front. When the flame cools enough, it can’t continue propagating upstream, effectively preventing flashback into the system. This is exactly the function needed to protect gas lines and equipment from backflow of flame.

The other devices don’t serve this purpose: a heat exchanger moves heat between fluids and isn’t about stopping flame propagation; a vent provides a path to the atmosphere but doesn’t extinguish or block flame; a damper controls airflow and drafts but doesn’t reliably quench a flame or prevent backflow.