The flame arrester is installed in the exhaust system of the vehicle and is used to reduce the temperature and energy of the exhaust gases. The unit is mounted in front of the resonator and is a tube with a diffuser, the body of which has an outer and an inner contour, between which a sound-absorbing filler is placed.
A flame arrester is a vehicle exhaust system designed to reduce the temperature and energy of the exhaust gases. The flame arrester optimizes the performance of all components of the exhaust system and can be used as an alternative to the catalyst.
Principle of operation and design features
The flame arrester is installed in front of the resonator, which is made of aluminum alloys susceptible to high temperatures. By lowering the temperature of the exhaust gases, the flame arrester protects the resonator from destruction.
The principle of operation of the flame arrester consists in converting the pulsating flows of exhaust gases into a single laminar flow having a lower temperature and flow rate. Structurally, the flame arrester is a tubular body, the walls of which have two metal layers, the space between which is filled with filler. Basalt fiber or mineral wool, which has a sound-absorbing effect, is used as a filler.
The outer layer of the flame arrester body is made of high-alloy steel, which allows it to withstand mechanical and chemical external influences. Also, the body must withstand vibration loads, the source of which is the car engine. Some designs of flame arresters include an additional chamber, inside which a diffuser is installed for preliminary noise damping.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main disadvantage of using a flame arrester in comparison with the use of a catalyst is the deterioration of the environmental performance of the car, which reduces its ability to operate on the roads of most European countries.
The advantages of flame arresters over catalysts are lower cost and increased durability. The performance of flame arresters is less dependent on the quality of the gasoline used. Installing a flame arrester practically does not reduce engine power.
There are both universal models of flame arresters, and standard ones, developed by the car manufacturer for a specific vehicle model. The main characteristics of the flame arrester are the outer and inner pipe diameters. The selection and installation of a flame arrester can be carried out both by specialists of a car service station and by the car owner independently.