Venting Theory for Argonite (IG-55)

Some considerations for calculating the vent area required to prevent pressure in an
enclosure from exceeding a predetermined limit during the discharge of a clean agent
system.

The equation for flow through an orifice is.

w = 0.525d o2 C Pρ Equation 1.0 1
where w is the flow rate in lbs/sec
do is the diameter of the orifice in inches
C is the flow coefficient for the orifice
P is the pressure at the inlet to the orifice (assume discharge to atmosphere)
ρ is the density of the flowing media expressed in lbs/cubic foot.

The equation is stated for non-compressible flow.

Although the atmosphere is compressible, the compressibility should be minimum over

the range of pressures and flow velocities expected for enclosure venting purposes.

Derivation of the final useful form of the equation:

w = 0.525d o2 C Pρ
Let X = π ⋅ d o2 / 4
then
d 02 = X ⋅ 4 /(π )
w = (0.5252 ⋅ X ⋅ 4 ⋅ C Pρ / π )
w ⋅π
X =
0.525 ⋅ 4 ⋅ C ⋅ Pρ
1.496 ⋅ w
X =
C ⋅ Pρ

Now let P’ be the strength of the enclosure stated in pounds per square foot.

P = P ' / 144 .

Substituting for P in pounds per square inch, we get

1.496 ⋅ w
X =
C ⋅ P' ρ / 144

1
Crane’s Flow of Fluids Technical Paper No. 410, 1989, Crane Co. Equation 3-31.
Simplifying we get

17.952 ⋅ w
X = Equation 1.1
C ⋅ P' ρ

Now the density ρ is the density of the atmosphere flowing through the orifice. The
atmosphere which flows through the orifice will be a mixture of the original atmosphere
in the enclosure (air or air plus products of combustion) and agent. In the case of inert
gas the agent density is very similar to that of air, generally a bit more dense than the
density of air. So Q and ρ may be stated in terms of the agent flow rate and agent density
for a good approximation.

For IG-55 substituting 0.0862 lbs/cu ft for the density (at 80°F), the equation may be
stated as:

61.14 ⋅ w
X = Equation 1.2.0
C ⋅ P'

Finally, add a safety factor S. S = 1 will give no safety factor. S values greater than 1
provide a safety factor.

61.14 ⋅ w
X = Equation 1.2.1 for IG-55
C ⋅ P' / S

“w” is predicted by the hydraulic calculation, C is a characteristic of the particular vent

device to be used, P’ is a characteristic of the enclosure structure. X is the calculated
actual vent area in square inches.

For the Argonite flow calculation, the flow rate is displayed in kgs/min. Let W = the
flow rate in kgs/min.

Then the equation becomes:

2.2465 ⋅ W
X = Equation 1.2.2 for IG-55
C ⋅ P' / S
Reference Table 1:

Agent Temperature (°F) Specific Volume (cu ft/lb)

FM200 80 2.2538

NOVEC 80 1.18088

CO2 80 9

IG 55 80 11.6