METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HERMETICALLY SEALING OPENINGS OF AN EXPLOSION CONTAINMENT CHAMBER

摘要

A method and apparatus to hermetically seal openings in an explosion suppression chamber. The present invention utilizes an air lock device to ensure that, in the event toxins are released from the primary explosion chamber opening closing means, the toxins are properly handled and are not inadvertently released into the atmosphere. The preferred embodiment of the present invention uses negative pressure to vacuum the entrained air within the airlock cavity subsequent to an explosion. An alternate embodiment of the present invention uses positive pressure within the air lock cavity to force air through integral filter membranes.