Modular Protective Barriers for Gaseous Blast Tests of Pressure Vessels

Abstract

The article provides an overview of BAM's modular protection concept and the results of investigations that demonstrate its resistance to destructive tests on gas-filled pressure vessels. During potentially destructive testing involving gas pressurized systems, the hazard posed by high velocity fragments or projectiles must be explicitly accounted for within the safety assessment. In certain cases, this consequence is intentionally induced to enable controlled demonstration, characterization, or measurement. In other cases - such as when evaluating resistance to extraordinary loads - it represents an unintended but probable consequence. In both scenarios, the implementation of protective measures is strongly advisable. These not only protect the test and measurement equipment but also allow for a reduction in safety distances for staff and may even reduce the need for more comprehensive organizational protective measures to protect the surroundings and the environment. Prior to destructive testing of gas-filled pressure vessels, the overpressure wave and dissipation properties as well as the damage resistance of the protective barrier construction must be evaluated. The robustness of the protective cubic system is validated by impact blast tests. The results demonstrate that the modular protective barrier exhibits sufficient resistance to both impact and thermal loading. The study confirms the system’s operational flexibility and its verified robustness with respect to pressure-wave loading.