Fire Safety Science Digital Archive

The incendivity of catalytic beds was tested using propane, ethylene and various saturated paraffins including petrol and pieces of nylon and cellulosic cloth and paper. It was possible to ignite all gases and vapours with the exception of petrol, when these impinged on the catalytic bed at sufficiently high velocities. When various saturated hydrocarbon liquids were sprayed on to the heated catalytic bed, none ignited. Ethyl ether ignited when a very small volume was sprayed. It was difficult to ignite sheets of flammable materials. Only cellulosic materials ignited after prolonged direct contact with the catalytic bed.