The Application and Analysis of the Risk Assessment Model about BLEVE Accident

Abstract:

The flammable vapor pressure inside the combustible liquid storage tanks in the fire environment elevates, and the of the tank wall the yield strength of enduring the heat decreases, which cause the collapse to occur soon, resulting in the happen of BLEVE. BLEVE is an incident form of great harm, and the study of its formation mechanism and hazard model is of great significance for the safety of the chemical enterprise. In this paper, the physical and chemical characteristic of dichloropropane and BLEVE in a dichloropropane tank area is analyzed, and the accident analysis model is built. According to TNT equivalent method, the vapor cloud fire and explosion models and the blast wave overpressure injury criteria, we calculated the accident consequence of BLEVE in different filling levels. The calculation and analysis shows that, if the BLEVE occurred, the entire tank area and adjacent buildings will be severely affected and the affect area will be up to 50.35 meter; the people less than 7.43 meter from the explosion tank will be subject to serious injury or death. Based on the above substance hazardous characteristics analysis in dichloro propane tank storage area and the corresponding qualitative and quantitative analysis, and according to the relevant requirements of the specification, the fire safety prevention and control measures in the tank area should be further strengthened.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 300-301)
• Pages: 1275-1280
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.300-301.1275
• Online since: February 2013
• Authors: Fei Xie, Wen Hua Song, Zhen Chen, Ling Yue Lv
• Keywords: 1,2-Dichloropropane Tank Area, Bleve, Overpressure Wave, Risk Assessment, TNT Equivalent Method

References

[1] WuZongzhi. The monitor of major hazard and the control of major accident hazards [J]. China Safety Science Journal, 2003, 13(9): 20-23.

[2] R.C. Reid, Possible mechanism for pressurized-liquid tank explosions or BLEVEs, Science 203(1979)1263.

DOI: 10.1126/science.203.4386.1263

[3] A. Wolf, Bleve kills two, NFPA J. 92(6)(1998)1-8.

[4] J.E.S. Venart S.A. Ramier, Boiling liquid expanding vapor explosions(BLEVE): the influence of dynamic re-pressurization and two-phase discharge, PVP ASME 377(2)(1998)249–254.

[6] H.J. Chen M.H. Lin, Modeling a boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion phenomenon with application to relief device design for liquefied ammonia storage, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 38(1999)479–487.

DOI: 10.1021/ie980216y

[7] R.P. Prugh, Quantify BLEVE hazards, Chem. Eng. Prog. 87(2) (1991) 66–72.

[8] A.M. Birk M.H. Cunningham, Liquid temperature stratification andits effect on BLEVEs and their hazards,J. Hazard. Mater. 48(1996)219–237.

DOI: 10.1016/0304-3894(95)00157-3

[9] F.I. Khan S.A. Abbasi, Risk Assessment in the Chemical Process Industries: Advanced Techniques, Discovery Publishing House, New Delhi, (1998).

[10] C.M. Yu,J.E.S. Venart, The boiling liquid collapsed bubble explosion(BLCBE): a preliminary model, J. Hazard. Mater. 46 (1996) 197–213.

DOI: 10.1016/0304-3894(95)00071-2

[11] A.M. Birk M.H. Cunningham, The boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion,J. Loss Prev. Process Ind. 7(1994)474–480.

DOI: 10.1016/0950-4230(94)80005-7

[12] J.A. Duiser, Escape of liquefied gases from broken pipes, in: The Protection of Exothermic Reactors and Pressurised Storage Vessels, Institutionof Chemical Engineers, Rugby, (1984).