Expanded-metal grids

Flame arresters are fitted in the vent lines of equipment that contains flammable material to prevent the propagation of flame through the vents. Various types of proprietary flame arresters are used. In general, they work on the principle of providing a heat sink, usually expanded metal grids or plates, to dissipate the heat of the flame. Flame arrestors and their applications are discussed by Rogowski (1980), Howard (1992) and Mendoza et al. (1988). 

The form and shape of the electrodes are tailored for the specific reactor configuration. Typical shapes include flat metal sheets, perforated or expanded metal grids, metal foams and meshes, and three-dimensional packed bed electrodes formed by stacking metal meshes, pressing catalyst powders, or by use of microporous carbon felts and cloths (three-dimensional electrodes are particularly attractive for low-current density reactions because the electrode surface per unit reactor volume can be made very large) [28]. 

Fig. 12.7. (a) Gravity-cast grid with diagonal wires and centre lug for improved high-power performance (left) expanded-metal grid (right) (b) Potential distribution of a state-of-the-art... 

Fig. 13.21. Expanded-metal grid ribbon used for continuous plate production of automotive batteries.

At the end of the century, new methods of plate grid manufacture were introduced, parallel to casting. These include the expanding metal grid process and, more recently, the die-cut technology. 

Expanded metal grid strip used for continuous plate production in the automotive battery... 

J. K. Whear, Separator for Processing Expanded Metal Grids, presented at 114th Annual Convention of Battery Council International, Orlando, EL, April 2002. 

FIG U RE 6.7 BTS cast strip—rotary expanded metal grid. 

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