In our studies in flash arrestor designs, we have come up with a general guideline for sintered filter flash arrestors. Keep in mind, the larger the flash arrestor, the more internal surface area. This means reduced flow restriction.
As HHO production levels rise, the arrestor must also be increased in size. If this does not occur, a dangerous level of pressure could build, inducing failure, due to compressed HHO.
| 30-40 Microns | 0-1 LPM HHO | 0-PSI |
| 10-25 Microns | 1.1-6 LPM HHO | .1 to 1-PSI |
| 5-9 Microns | 6.1-20 LPM HHO | 1.1 to 4 PSI |
| 1-5 Microns | 20+ LPM HHO | 4.1 to 10 PSI |
A WARNING about Bronze Wool
Be careful with commonly made "Stuffed Bronze Wool" flash arrestors. In order for a flash arrestor to work consistantly, you need to keep the pass-through particle size below 10 microns This is extremely difficult to do with bronze wool, because it is nearly impossible to pack them consistantly. It is this reason why we do not recommend using them. These can work well with production levels below 1 LPM, but add a little pressure, or allow them to become saturated, and they fail.
A WARNING about Check Valve Arrestors
DO NOT purchase a check valve for the purpose of using it as a flash arrestor. They simply do not work. We saw many vendors selling check valves just for that purpose, and decided to test it for ourselves. In our tests, a check valve was only 80% effective, and ONLY IN LESS THAN 1-LPM production. We simply do not like those odds. If someone is advertising check valves as flash arrestors, be wary of purchasing ANYTHING from them. This means they have not done any due dilligence in researching the safety aspects of what they are selling, and do not care about your safety.