Small Scale Test Laboratory

All small-scale and laboratory-scale testing work is performed at GexCons test laboratory facilities at Fantoft, near Bergen, Norway. A wide range of gas and dust explosion testing projects using vessels in the volume range from less than 1 litre to approximately 2 m3 can usually be performed in the laboratory. In this wide range of test vessels test scenarios can be varied significantly. Several closed vessels are available as well as a number of open or vented test vessels.

Small-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 small-scale test facilities at GexCons test taboratory comprise among others of the following test vessels:

  • 1.5 m3 rectangular cabinet for equipment testing (H=1.5 m, 1.0x1.0 m, flange at top & diverse vent arrangements on sides)
  • 1.2 m3 vessel (D = 0.9 m, L = 1.9 m, Pmax = 13 barg, closed vessel or open end with variable venting configurations)
  • 9 litre cylindrical high pressure vessel (L = 0.3 m, D = 0.2 m, Pmax = 200 barg, flanged ends)
  • 2.0 litre cylindrical vessel (L = 0.25 m, D=0.1 m, Pmax = 10 barg)
  • 20 litre spherical dispersion chamber (D=0.35 m, Pmax = 16 barg)
  • Single impact anvil test apparatus
  • 1:33 scale module (L=1.2 m, 0.35x0.40 m, approx 170 litre volume)
  • 1.4 m repeated obstacle vessel (L=1.4 m, 0.3x0.3 m, approx 130 litre volume)
  • Transient driver section (L=3.5m, 0.3x0.3 m, approx 315 litre)
  • Plus several other test vessels and apparatus

  

Some examples of testing projects that have been performed in our laboratories are:

  • Testing of flame arresters
  • Testing of suppression systems
  • Testing of fog-nozzles for waterspray characterisation
  • Transient explosion loading on complex obtacles and gratings
  • Explosion propagation within fuel cell equipment and components
  • Auto-ignition temperature tests for liquids at underpressure
  • Explosion quenching in closed tanks
  • Hydrogen explosion tests including mitigation and inerting
  • Hydrogen release and dispersion experiments
  • Validation tests for the 3D CFD explosion simulation code FLACS
  • and many more.....

If you have any questions or would like advice concerning testing at our laboratories, please contact any of the following:

Geir H. Pedersen
Phone no: +47957 24 222
E-mail: geir(at)gexcon.com

Kees van Wingerden 
Phone no: +47 474 53 367
E-mail: kees(at)gexcon.com

Brian A. Wilkins
Phone no: +47 920 65 535
E-mail: brian(at)gexcon.com