Large Scale Testing Facilities

All medium-scale and large-scale testing work is performed at GexCons test site on the island of Sotra just outside Bergen, Norway. Gas and dust explosion testing using vessels in the volume range 1 m3 to 50 m3 can be performed. A wide range of test vessels are available for which the venting configuration(s) and test scenarios can be varied significantly. Several closed vessels are also available.

Large scale testing work at GexCon includes both equipment testing, gas and dust explosion research as well as specialised or dedicated testing projects that are tailor-made to suit customer requirements and wishes. 

The large scale test facilities at GexCons test site at Sotra comprise of the following test vessels:

  • 50 m3 realistic offshore module (L=8 m, 2.5x2.5m, Pmax = 3 barg, variable venting configurations)
  • 50 m3 cylindrical vessel (L = 10 m, D = 2.5 m, Pmax = 32 barg, closed or open end)
  • 18 m3 wedge shaped vessel (L = 10 m, H=1.25 m, Pmax = 5 barg, 17° sector of a cylinder, variable venting configurations)
  • 9.4m3 channel (L=6.1 m, 1.25x1.25 m, Pmax = 5 barg, flange at one end or diverse vent arrangements in roof)
  • 27 m3 "3D corner", (3x3x3 m, Pmax = 3 barg, variable obstacle layout and density)
  • 10 m3 closed "reactor" vessel (D = 2m, H = 3.8 m, Pmax = 16 barg, various flanges and openings)
  • 33 m3 closed vessel (D = 2.5 m, H = 7.3 m, Pmax = 10 barg, various flanges and openings)
  • 23 m3 roller mill (D=3 m approx, H = 8 m approx, Pmax = 3 barg approx)

Some examples of testing projects that have been performed at our test site are:

  • Explosion mitigation and suppression systems
  • Various explosion venting systems
  • Testing of water deluge and fog-nozzles for waterspray charaterisation
  • Testing of various forms of passive fire protection equipment including valve and flange casings, pipe penetration seals and fire insulation jackets
  • Dust explosion testing in a full size roller mill
  • Numerous validation tests for the 3D CFD explosion simulation code FLACS, performed in several test volumes and configurations
  • Realistic gas release tests and explosions resulting from such releases
  • Explosion propagation for gas mixtures and inhomogenous gas clouds
  • Oil-mist explosions
  • Hybrid hydrogen/oil explosion tests for transformer room safety
  • and many more.....

If you have any questions or would like advice concerning testing at our large-scale test site, please contact any of the following:

Geir H. Pedersen
Phone no: +47 55 57 43 12
E-mail: geir(at)gexcon.com		 Brian A. Wilkins
Phone no: +47 55 57 43 24
E-mail: brian(at)gexcon.com

Kees van Wingerden 
Phone no: +47 55 57 42 05
E-mail: kees(at)gexcon.com