EP4183453A1

EP4183453A1 - Protection device, installation comprising the protection device and vehicle comprising said installation

Info

Publication number: EP4183453A1
Application number: EP21306621.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luigi Lugaro; Matteo TESTI; Luigi CREMA
Original assignee: Alstom Transport Technologies SAS; Fondazione Bruno Kessler
Current assignee: Alstom Holdings SA; Fondazione Bruno Kessler
Priority date: 2021-11-22
Filing date: 2021-11-22
Publication date: 2023-05-24

Abstract

The invention concerns a protection device (22) configured to be in fluid communication with a combustible fluid (26), the protection device (22) comprising:- a first stage (34), the first stage (34) comprising a protection device inlet (22A), a burner (42) and at least one oxidizing fluid intake (40) in fluid communication with the burner (42), the burner (42) being configured to combust at least in part the combustible fluid (26) with an oxidizing fluid (46) and to eject combustion products (52E) and/or at least one flame (54E), and- a second stage (36), the second stage (36) comprising a protection device outlet (22B) and at least one Tesla valve, the Tesla valve being configured to receive the ejected combustion products (52E) and/or the ejected flame (54E) and to process said ejected combustion products (52E) and/or said ejected flame (54E).

Description

The present invention concerns a protection device configured to be in fluid communication with a combustible fluid. The invention also concerns an assembly comprising such a protection device. The invention also concerns a vehicle comprising such an installation.
The protection device according to the invention is suitable for installations storing combustible fluid comprising fuel.
In particular, the protection device according to the invention may be arranged in vehicles powered at least in part by fuel cells, comprising at least one tank storing combustible fluid. The combustible fluid stored may be for example high-pressure dihydrogen gas. Such vehicle may be fuel cell hybrid cars, trucks, buses, railway vehicles, ships, submarines, etc.
Such combustible fluid in generally stored in tanks under pressure. Such tanks have generally a maximum allowable pressure tolerance and the pressure of the pressurized combustible fluid must be below this allowable pressure tolerance.
In case of accident involving a temperature increase or a fire lapping the storage tank of high-pressure combustible fluid, the resistance of the storage tank under fire is rapidly degraded due to fire. Indeed, the internal pressure increase and this can lead to the risk of storage burst of the storage tank. In order to reduce pressure of the combustible gas inside the tank in order to avoid explosion of the tank, a thermally activated pressure relief device is generally in fluid communication with the combustible fluid of the tank. When a predefined temperature of the pressurized combustible fluid in the tank is reached, the pressure relief device releases high-pressure combustible fluid to the exterior of the tank. Combustible fluid is released by the pressure relief device as a combustible gas jet. Such combustible gas jet released in a closed space such as a tunnel, undergrounds parks, garages, etc., can create huge pressure and temperature peak loads that can cause severe consequences to people and infrastructures.
Moreover, the combustible fluid released may create an explosive atmosphere inside the confined space that can trigger a later explosion.
Furthermore, the combustible fluid released may self-ignite which could lead to at least one huge flame comprised between 2 to 15 meters or may ignite by an existing fire creating high thermal radiation in the surrounding area with hazard to people.
One aim of the invention is to provide a protection device designed to limit said undesirable effects of the release of high-pressure combustible fluid, namely to limit the occurrence of factors that can lead to dangerous situations during the release of pressurized combustible fluid from storage tanks.
For this purpose, the invention relates to a protection device configured to be in fluid communication with a combustible fluid, the protection device comprising: a first stage, the first stage comprising a protection device inlet, a burner and at least one oxidizing fluid intake in fluid communication with the burner, the burner being configured to combust at least in part the combustible fluid with an oxidizing fluid and to eject combustion products and/or at least one flame, and a second stage, the second stage comprising a protection device outlet and at least one Tesla valve, the Tesla valve being configured to receive the ejected combustion products and/or the ejected flame and to process said ejected combustion products and/or said ejected flame.
The protection device according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, taken into consideration in isolation, or according to any one of any technically feasible combinations:

the first stage comprises a first stage exit and the second stage comprises a second stage entry, the first stage exit and the second stage entry being adjacent.
the burner comprises a porous body comprising pores.
the diameter of each pore of the porous body is comprised between 0.1 and 0.5 millimeters.
the porous body is coated with a coating material, the coating material being a catalyzer.
the Tesla valve defines at least one Tesla valve channel, the or each Tesla valve channel having a tubular shape.
the Tesla valve defines at least one Tesla valve channel, a shape of the Tesla valve channel being such that the temperature of the processed combustion products is strictly inferior to the temperature of the ejected combustion products from the first stage and/or the temperature of the processed flame is strictly inferior to the temperature of the ejected flame from the first stage.
the protection device extends along an extension axis, a length of the burner along the extension axis being comprised between 300 millimeters and 1500 millimeters and a length of the Tesla along the extension axis being comprised between 300 and 1500 millimeters.
the protection device extends along an extension axis, the first stage and/or the second stage each comprising a heat dissipation central hole extending along the extension axis.

The invention also relates to an installation comprising: at least one combustible fluid tank storing combustible fluid, the combustible fluid tank comprising a combustible fluid tank outlet, for the or each combustible fluid tank, at least one associated pressure relief device in fluid communication with the combustible fluid stored in this combustible fluid tank, and a protection device as defined above, wherein the or each combustible fluid tank outlet is connected to the protection device inlet via the associated pressure relief device.
According to some embodiments, the combustible fluid comprises dihydrogen .
The invention also related to a vehicle, for example a railway vehicle, comprising the installation described above.
The invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the following description, which is given solely by way of non-limiting example and which is made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a schematic profile view of a railway vehicle comprising a protection device,
figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a burner and Tesla valves of the protection device, and
figure 3 is an enlarged view of portion III of figure 2.

A part of a vehicle 10 is shown on figure 1.
The vehicle 10 is configured to be at least in part powered by fuel cells (not shown).
A fuel cell is configured to perform a redox reaction between a fuel contained in a combustible fluid and an oxidant contained in an oxidizing fluid to produce electrical energy.
A fuel cell comprises at least one electrochemical cell, and preferably a stack formed of a plurality of superimposed electrochemical cells, each electrochemical cell being configured to carry out the redox reaction between the fuel fluid and the oxidizing fluid.
The vehicle 10 shown on figure 1 is a Fuell Cell Hydrogen (also known under the acronym "FCH") powered vehicle.
The vehicle 10 is for example a railway vehicle. According to other embodiments, the vehicle 10 may be a car, a truck, a bus, a ship, a submarine, etc.
The railway vehicle 10 comprises at least one railway car 12 and an installation 14.
The railway car 12 comprises at least one compartment 16.
The installation 14 comprises at least one combustible fluid tank 18 ("tank 18" in the following), at least one pressure relief device 20, a protection device 22 and a defueling path 24.
The installation 14 comprises, for example, forty-eight tanks 18 packed by subassembly of six or eight tanks 18. On figure 1, only three tanks 18 are shown.
Advantageously, a layer of cork is applied on the surface of each tank 18 for fire protection.
Each tank 18 comprises combustible fluid 26.
Each tank 18 delimits, for example, an internal volume of 350 liters (L).
Combustible fluid 26 is stored under pressure in each tank 18. In other words, the combustible fluid 26 is pressurized in each tank 18.
Combustible fluid 26 is, for example, stored in a gaseous state in each tank 18.
As an example, the pressure of the combustible fluid 26 in each tank 18 is substantially comprised between 35 Mega Pascal (MPa) and 70 MPa.
In the present example, the combustible fluid 26 comprises dihydrogen, the dihydrogen being the fuel.
The tank 18 comprises a tank outlet 18B.
Each tank 18 is fluidly connected to at least one fuel cell to supply the fuel cell with combustible fluid.
For each tank 18, the installation 10 comprises at least one pressure relief device 20.
In the particular example of figure 1, the installation 10 comprises two pressure relief devices 20 per tank 18.
Each pressure relief device 20 is for example a pressure relief valve.
Each pressure relief device 20 comprises a pressure relief device inlet 20A and a pressure relief device outlet 20B.
As shown on figure 1, each of the three tanks 18 are fluidly connected to two associated pressure relief devices 20.
Each tank 18 is connected to the associated pressure relief devices 20 by a duct 28.
In the particular example shown on figure 1, each outlet 18B of the three tanks 18 are connected to a respective pressure relief device inlet 20A.
Moreover, the pressure relief device outlet 20B is connected to the protection device 22 and, in particular, to a protection device inlet 22A.
Each pressure relief devices 20 are connected to the protection device 22 by a release duct 30.
Optionally, the installation 10 comprises a vent 31 interposed between the outlet 20B of each pressure relief device 20 and the release duct 30.
The pressure relief device 20 is configured to release a quantity of combustible fluid 26 at the pressure relief device outlet 20B when the temperature inside the pressure relief device 20 is superior or equal to a predefined temperature.
According to an example, the predefined temperature is substantially equal to 110 degrees Celsius (C°).
The protection device 22 is configured to be in fluid communication with the combustible fluid 26.
More precisely, as shown on figure 1, the protection device 22 is configured to be in fluid communication with the combustible fluid 26 released by each pressure relief device 20.
The protection device 22 comprises a protection device inlet 22A of the combustible fluid 26 in the protection device 22, a protection device outlet 22B, a first stage 34 and a second stage 36.
As shown on figure 2, a principal flow direction FD is defined for the protection device 22 from the protection device inlet 22A towards the protection device outlet 22B.
The protection device inlet 22A is configured to admit combustible fluid 26 released from each pressure relief device 20.
The protection device outlet 22B opens at the exterior of the protection device 22 and namely in this example at the exterior of the railway vehicle 10.
The protection device 22 extends along an extension axis A.
The first stage 34 comprises the protection device inlet 22A, a first stage fairing 38, at least one oxidizing fluid intake 40, a burner 42, a heat dissipation central hole 44 and a first stage exit 34B.
The first stage 34 is arranged upstream of the second stage 36 with respect to the principal flow direction FD.
The protection device inlet 22A corresponds to a first stage entry.
The combustible fluid 26 at the protection device inlet 22A has a first temperature T1.
For example, the first temperature T1 is substantially equal to 2000 degrees Celsius (°C).
The first stage fairing 38 houses the burner 42. For example, the first stage fairing 38 has an aerodynamic shape.
The oxidizing fluid intake 40 is configured to admit oxidizing fluid 46 inside the first stage 34.
The oxidizing fluid intake 40 is in fluid communication with the burner 42.
The oxidizing fluid intake 40 is, for example, a through hole arranged in the first stage fairing 38.
According a particular example, the installation 14 may comprise a blower (not shown) associated to the oxidizing fluid intake 40 to favor admission of oxidizing fluid 46 inside the first stage 34.
The oxidizing fluid 46 is, for example, air and the oxidant is dioxygen contained in air.
In other words, air is configured to pass through the oxidizing fluid intake 40 from the exterior of the railway vehicle 10 to the inside of the first stage 34 to supply the burner 42 with the dioxygen.
The burner 42 is configured to combust or burn at least in part the combustible fluid 26 with the oxidizing fluid 46 and to eject combustion products and/or at least one flame.
In the particular example disclosed in the present description, the burner 42 is configured to eject combustion products and at least one flame.
Such combustion corresponds to the oxidation of dihydrogen by dioxygen.
The combustion products comprise water (H₂O). The combustion products may also comprise gases. Such gases may comprise dihydrogen not burned during the reaction and/or nitrogen oxide (NOx).
The flame corresponds to the exothermic chemical reaction between the fuel of the combustible fluid 26 and oxidant of the oxidizing fluid 46.
As shown on figure 2, the burner 42 comprises a porous body 48 and at a plurality of oxidizing fluid supply apertures 50.
The porous body 48 comprises pores. Each pore delimits a small cavity.
The diameter of each pore of the porous body 48 is comprised between 0.1 and 0.5 millimeters (mm).
The porous body 48 is made in a material.
For example, the porous body 48 is a foam.
The material comprises for example silicon carbide (SiC). More preferably, the material comprises silicon-infiltrated silicon carbide (SiSiC). As a particular example, the porous body 48 is a SiSiC foam.
Each pore corresponds to a unitary combustion chamber.
The porous body 48 has substantially the shape of a torus.
According to a specific example, the burner 42 comprises a coating material coating the porous body 48. In other words, the coating material covers the porous body 48.
The coating material is for example a catalyzer. The catalyzer comprises for example palladium or platinium.
The catalyzer is configured to accelerate the combustion. Moreover, the catalyzer is configured to increase the flame power density.
A length of the burner 42 depends on the dihydrogen flow rate to dissipate. As a non-limitative example, the length of the burner 42 along the extension axis A is comprised between 300 mm and 1500 mm particularly between 1000 mm and 1500 mm.
The heat dissipation central hole 44 extends along a direction parallel to the extension axis A.
The heat dissipation central hole 44 opens at the protection device inlet 22A and at the first stage exit 34B.
The heat dissipation central hole 44 is defined by the torus shape of the porous body 48.
The ejected combustion products 52E and the ejected flame 54E at the first stage exit 34B have each a second temperature T2. Second temperature T2 is substantially equal to 60% of temperature T1.
As an example, second temperature T2 is substantially equal to 1200°C.
The second stage 36 comprises a second stage entry 36A, the protection device outlet 22B, a second stage fairing 56, at least one Tesla valve 58 and at least one heat dissipation central hole 60.
The second stage entry 36A and the first stage exit 34B are adjacent.
The second stage entry 36A is configured to receive the ejected combustion products 52E and the ejected flame 54E produced in the first stage 34.
The second stage 36 is configured to process the ejected combustion products 52E and the ejected flame 54E generated in the first stage 34 to produce, respectively, processed combustion products 52P and at least one processed flame 54P.
The second stage fairing 56 houses the Tesla valve 58. The Tesla valve 58 extends along the extension axis A.
The Tesla valve 58 also known by the term "valvular conduit" is known per se.
The Tesla valve 58 is a check valve. In order words, the Tesla valve 58 is a one-way valve.
In particular, the Tesla valve 58 is configured to allow the fluid to flow in a direction substantially parallel to the principal flow direction FD.
The Tesla valve 58 has a fixed geometry, meaning that it does not comprise moving parts.
The Tesla valve 58 comprises a Tesla valve body 62 and at least one Tesla valve channel 64 arranged in the Tesla valve body 62.
As an example and as shown on figure 2, the Tesla valve 58 comprises two Tesla valve channels 64.
Each Tesla valve channel 64 comprises a tubular shape in a plane perpendicular to the extension axis A.
As an example and as shown on figure 3, the or each Tesla valve channel 64 comprises a lateral wall 66 and a plurality of deviation walls 68.
The lateral wall 66 and the plurality of deviation walls 68 delimit a primary segment PS and a plurality of secondary segments SS.
The primary segment PS extends substantially along the extension axis A.
In the primary segment PS, a primary flow direction is defined.
The primary flow direction presents substantially the same orientation as the principal flow direction FD.
Each secondary segment SS corresponds substantially to a deviation loop.
In each secondary segment SS, a secondary flow direction is defined.
The secondary flow direction is different from the primary flow direction. In particular, at the end of each secondary segment SS, the secondary flow direction is substantially opposed to the primary flow direction FD.
The flow direction has not been represented for all secondary SS but for some secondary segments SS only in order to not to impede the readability of the figures.
The protection device outlet 22B is configured to release the processed combusted products 52P and the processed flame 54P.
The processed combustible fluid 52P and the processed flame 54P at the protection device outlet 22B has each a third temperature T3. The third temperature T3 is substantially equal to 50% of temperature T2.
Third temperature T3 is substantially equal to 600°C.
A shape of the or each Tesla valve channel 64 is such that the third temperature T3 of the processed combustible fluid 52P and the processed flame 54P is strictly inferior to the second temperature T2 of the ejected combustion products 52E and the ejected flame 54E from the first stage exit 34B.
The or each Tesla valve channel 64 is such that the processed combustion products 52P differ from the ejected combustion products 52E by at least another parameter than temperature chosen in the following list:

the velocity,
the pressure, and
the composition.

In particular, the velocity and the pressure of the processed combustion products 52P are, respectively, strictly inferior to the velocity and the pressure of the ejected combustion products 52E.
Moreover, the Tesla valve 58 is be configured to burn residual fuel not burned in the first stage 34.
A shape of the or each Tesla valve channel 64 is such that the third temperature T3 of the processed flame 54P is strictly inferior to the second temperature T2 of the ejected flame 54E from the first stage 34.
A shape of the or each Tesla valve channel 64 is such that the velocity of the processed flame 54P is strictly inferior to the velocity of the ejected flame 54E.
The Tesla valve 58 may be obtained by additive manufacturing, for example by Direct Metal Laser Sintering (also known by "DMLS").
For example the Tesla valve 58 comprises an alloy of titanium and aluminum such as Ti₆Al₄.
A length of the Tesla valve 58 along the extension axis A depends on how many megawatts (MW) have to be dissipated. As a non-limitative example, the length of the Tesla valve 58 is, for example, comprised between 300 mm and 1500 mm, specifically between 1000 mm and 1500 mm.
The defueling path 24 of the installation 14 extends from the or each tank 18 to the protection device outlet 22B passing through the at least one relief pressure device 20.
The protection device 22 is arranged at the exterior of the vehicle 10.
For example, the protection device 22 is attached on the top of the vehicle 10.
A method of protection of the installation 14 is described in the following.
When pressure of the combustible fluid 26 stored in the or each tank 18 reaches the predefined pressure, the defueling path 24 is activated.
The associated pressure relief valve 20 thus releases by its outlet 20B a quantity of combustible fluid 26 in the protection device 22 via the release duct 30.
Pressure of the combustible fluid 26 released by the pressure relief device 20 is superior or equal to the ambient pressure which is substantially equal to one atmosphere (Atm) (one atmosphere being equal to 101 325 Pa).
The released combustible fluid 26 enters the protection device 22 by the protection device inlet 22A.
The released combustible fluid 26 then enters successively in the first stage 34 and the second stage 36 following the principal flow direction FD.
In particular, the released combustible fluid 26 enters the protection device 22 by the protection device inlet 22A and reaches the burner 42.
The released combustible fluid 26 is distributed progressively in the pores of the porous body 48 of the burner 42.
Burner 42 is supplied with oxidizing fluid 46 through the oxidizing fluid intake 40.
Then the oxidizing fluid 46 enters inside the burner 42 via the plurality of oxidizing fluid supply apertures 50.
Combustion of the combustible fluid 26 with the oxidizing fluid 46 takes place in the burner 42.
In particular, a plurality of unitary combustions take place in each pore of the porous body 48.
Unitary combustions generate unitary combustion products and/or small flames. Such unitary combustions could be direct combustion or a catalytic combustion.
The burner 42 then ejects the combustion products 52E and at least one flame 54E. The ejected combustion products 52E correspond to the resultant of the unitary combustion products. The ejected flame 54E correspond to the resultant of the small flames generated in the porous body 48.
The ejected combustion products 52E and the ejected flame 54E from the first stage 34 exit the first stage 34 by the first stage exit 34B and enters the second stage 36 and in particular in the Tesla valve 58 by the second stage entry 36A.
The temperature of the ejected combustion products 52E and the ejected flame 54E are each equal to the second temperature T2 which is strictly inferior to the first temperature T1.
The ejected combustion products 52E and the ejected flame 54E are distributed in each Tesla valve channel 64 of the Tesla valve 58 and are processed inside each Tesla valve channel 64.
The Tesla valve 58 creates a flow resistance with respect to the principal flow direction FD.
In particular, the ejected segments PS and the secondary segments SS create, inter alia, vortices in the flow and flow loss.
Said flow resistance causes a temperature decrease of the fluid and flame flowing in each Tesla valve channel 64.
In particular, the temperature of the processed combustion products 52P and the processed flame 54P at the protection device outlet 22B are each equal to the third temperature T3 which is strictly inferior to the second temperature T2.
Said flow resistance also causes a velocity and pressure decrease of the fluid flowing in each Tesla valve channel 64.
The processed combustion products 52P at the protection device outlet 22B thus have a pressure strictly inferior to the pressure of the ejected combustion products 52E by the first stage 34 and a velocity strictly inferior to the pressure of the ejected combustion products 52E by the first stage 34.
Said flow resistance also causes a decrease of the velocity of the flame passing through the or each Tesla valve channel 64.
Additionally, the processed flame 54P at the protection device outlet 22B have a velocity strictly inferior to the velocity of the ejected flame 54E by the first stage 34 entering the second stage 36.
The processed combustion products 52P and the processed flame 54P exit the second stage 36 by the protection device outlet 22B.
The protection device 22 according to the invention enables to limit the quantity of fuel released in the atmosphere as compared to installations that do not comprise such protection device 22.
Thanks to the first stage 34 of the protection device 22, at least 90% of the fuel of the combustible fluid 26 is burned.
Moreover, the protection device 22 enables to obtain at the protection device outlet 22B a third temperature T3 of the processed combustion products 52P and the processed flame 54P which is strictly inferior to the temperature of the combustible fluid entering the protection device 22 by the outlet 22A.
In other words, the protection device 22 acts as a temperature reducer.
In particular, thanks to the first stage 34, the temperature of the fluid between the protection device inlet 22A and the first stage exit 34B is reduced from T1 to T2. Thanks to the second stage 36, the temperature of the fluid between the second stage 36 entry and the protection device outlet 22B is reduced from T2 to T3.
Additionally, the protection device 22 according to the invention enables to reduce a flame length at the protection device outlet 22B as compared to a flame length ejected by an installation that do not comprise such protection device 22.
More precisely, the length of the processed flame 54P at the protection device outlet 22B is strictly inferior to the length of the flame generated at the pressure relief valve outlet in an installation that do not comprise the protection device 22 according to the invention.
In particular, thanks to the porous body 48 of the first stage 34, fuel of the combustible fuel is spread in the pores of the porous body 48. Then, the fuel of the combustible fluid 26 is burned in each pore. The use of pores enable to reduce the flame length at the first stage exit 34B as compared to the flame length of the state of the art.
Indeed, the flame length depends on the diameter of the pores of the porous body 48. The more the diameter of the pores decreases the more the flame length decreases.
A diameter of each pore of the porous body 48 is comprised between 0.1 and 0.5 mm enables to obtain an acceptable flame length in terms of safety at the protection device outlet 22B. In particular, the porous body 48 generates several small flames, for example of 10 to 20 mm, instead of one huge flame of 10 meters (m) for an installation that does not comprise the protection device 22 according to the invention.
Moreover, the second stage 36 enables to reduce the pressure and the velocity of the ejected combustion products 52E and the velocity of the ejected flame 54E.
The protection device 22 according to the invention thus enables to limit the occurrence of factors that can lead to dangerous situations during the release of pressurized fuel stored in tanks.

Claims

A protection device (22) configured to be in fluid communication with a combustible fluid (26), the protection device (22) comprising:
- a first stage (34), the first stage (34) comprising a protection device inlet (22A), a burner (42) and at least one oxidizing fluid intake (40) in fluid communication with the burner (42), the burner (42) being configured to combust at least in part the combustible fluid (26) with an oxidizing fluid (46) and to eject combustion products (52E) and/or at least one flame (54E), and

- a second stage (36), the second stage (36) comprising a protection device outlet (22B) and at least one Tesla valve (58), the Tesla valve (58) being configured to receive the ejected combustion products (52E) and/or the ejected flame (54E) and to process said ejected combustion products (52E) and/or said ejected flame (54E).
The protection device according to claim 1, wherein the first stage (34) comprises a first stage exit (34B) and the second stage (36) comprises a second stage entry (36A), the first stage exit (34B) and the second stage entry (36A) being adjacent.
The protection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the burner (42) comprises a porous body (48) comprising pores.
The protection device according to claim 3, wherein the diameter of each pore of the porous body (48) is comprised between 0.1 and 0.5 millimeters.
The protection device according to claims 3 or 4, wherein the porous body (48) is coated with a coating material, the coating material being a catalyzer.
The protection device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the Tesla valve (58) defines at least one Tesla valve channel (64), the or each Tesla valve channel (64) having a tubular shape.
The protection device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the Tesla valve (58) defines at least one Tesla valve channel (64), a shape of the Tesla valve channel (64) being such that the temperature (T3) of the processed combustion products (52P) is strictly inferior to the temperature (T3) of the ejected combustion products (52E) from the first stage (34) and/or the temperature (T3) of the processed flame (54P) is strictly inferior to the temperature (T2) of the ejected flame (54E) from the first stage (34).
The protection device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protection device (22) extends along an extension axis (A), a length of the burner (42) along the extension axis (A) being comprised between 300 millimeters and 1500 millimeters and a length of the Tesla valve (58) along the extension axis (A) being comprised between 300 and 1500 millimeters.
The protection device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protection device (22) extends along an extension axis (A), the first stage (34) and/or the second stage (36) each comprising a heat dissipation central hole (44, 60) extending along the extension axis (A).
An installation (14) comprising:
- at least one combustible fluid tank (18) storing combustible fluid (26), the combustible fluid tank (18) comprising a combustible fluid tank outlet (18B),

- for the or each combustible fluid tank (18), at least one associated pressure relief device (20) in fluid communication with the combustible fluid (26) stored in this combustible fluid tank (18), and

- a protection device (22) according to any one of the preceding claims,
wherein the or each combustible fluid tank outlet (18B) is connected to the protection device inlet (22A) via the associated pressure relief device (20).
The installation according to claim 10, wherein the combustible fluid (26) comprises dihydrogen.
A vehicle (10), notably a railway vehicle (10), comprising an installation (14) according to claim 10 or 11.