Process Safety Engineering

Internal combustion engine ignition sources comprise electrical, exhaust, and intake systems. In the latter cases, flammable gas or vapor can ignite and backfire either through exhaust or intake lines. For fixed engines such as diesel generators or pumps and gas turbines, consideration should be given to location of these lines. A particular problem with diesel engines is “runaway” should a flammable gas enter via the intake, since fuel cutoff control maybe lost. Where fitted, catalytic converters may produce sufficient temperature for ignition.