Multiple pool fires: Occurrence,simulation, modeling and management

When two or more pool fires burn in such close proximity of one another that they can influence each other, they are termed ‘multiple pool fires’ (MPF). The characteristics and the structure of MPFs are significantly different from that of stand-alone pool fires. Even though MPFs have known to occur fairly often in chemical process industries, much lesser work has been done towards simulation, modeling and control of MPFs as compared to stand-alone pool fires.This paper is perhaps the first-ever attempt at surveying the MPF state-of-the-art. It recounts MPF accidents and catalogs the controlled experiments that have been done to understand the mechanism and impact of MPFs. Attempts to model MPFs have been assessed and possible ways to manage MPFs have been touched upon.     

庚烷池火多火源燃烧特性的实验研究

多火源燃烧是森林火灾和城市群发性火灾中重要而又特殊的火灾现象,相关研究很少。通过恒定控制液面高度的实验系统,对直径0.1m、0.2m和0.4m的庚烷池火在单个火源、两火源燃烧和三火源线性排列时的火焰高度、火焰体积和燃烧速率等特性进行了实验研究。研究发现,三火源燃烧时中间火源的火焰高度、火焰体积和燃烧速率明显高于两火源燃烧和单火源燃烧,三火源燃烧时边上火源与两火源的燃烧状况难以区分。这些燃烧特性随着火源间距的减小,呈现增大趋势。热量反馈增强和空气卷吸受限这两种火源相互作用机制相互耦合,且随着火源间距的减小而增强,在S/D（S为火源间距,D为油池直径）为2～4时,两种机制强烈竞争,在其他参数范围内热量反馈增强效应占主导作用。研究还发现火焰体积与热释放速率有较好的线性相关关系,单位火焰体积的热释放速率约为1614kW/m3。     

不同边沿高度油池火燃烧行为的实验和数值模拟研究

采用实验和FDS数值模拟相结合的方法,探讨了边沿高度对油池火燃烧特性的影响。在实验部分,研究了燃烧速率和表观火焰高度随边沿高度的变化趋势,并分别分析了各个阶段的热反馈机制。在实验获得不同尺度、边沿高度正庚烷油池火燃烧速率的前提下,建立相应尺度的不同边沿高度油池火的Fire Dynamics Simulator(FDS)计算模型以针对火焰高度进行了数值模拟研究,分析了实际火焰高度、火焰下探高度随边沿高度的变化趋势,并提出了相关的无量纲拟合式。     

油池边沿高度对池火燃烧特性影响的实验研究

研究了油池边沿高度(h)对池火燃烧特性的影响,开展了内径(d)为10 cm的不同h和不同油盘材料(石英、不锈钢、铝和铜)的正庚烷池火实验。结果表明,正庚烷池火的燃烧速率、火焰高度和脉动频率均随着边沿高度的增大而减小,且随着油盘材料的热导率增大,边沿高度的影响逐渐减弱。基于量纲分析分别修正了火焰高度和脉动频率模型,结果能够较好地符合实验值。     

高原乙醇油池火燃烧特性实验研究

为研究低压条件下油品燃烧特性,以乙醇油池火为研究对象,搭建高原油池火实验平台,研究不同油盘直径下乙醇油池火燃烧规律,分析燃烧速率、火焰高度和火焰脉动等参数随时间的变化规律。研究结果表明：低压条件下的乙醇油池火,燃烧速率小于同等尺度常压条件下的油池火燃烧速率;乙醇油池火的燃烧速率随油盘直径增加变化不明显;火焰高度随油池直径增加呈现显著上升趋势,并拟合推导出适用于低压乙醇池火的火焰高度公式;火焰脉动频率随油池直径增大而减小,并给出火焰脉动与油池直径的经验公式。研究结果可丰富低压乙醇燃烧的油池火实验数据,为低压乙醇油池火的风险评估提供参考。     

TF5池火平均质量损失速率简化模型及其高原环境下的适用性研究

通过池火在常压环境下燃烧时的质量损失机理分析,对火灾探测中欧洲标准试验火TF5(正庚烷池火)归纳推导出以辐射热反馈为主导的质量损失速率简化模型,并推广到拉萨高原低压环境.该模型建立了TF5池火平均质量损失速率与火焰温度四次方的正比关系,通过对火焰温度的测量,确定燃料液面所受的辐射热反馈功率,从而推算出燃料的平均质量损失速率.同时结合合肥及拉萨两地的TF5标准火实验,对模型进行了验证,实验结果表简化模型能够反映出不同气压下TF5池火燃烧的主要过程.     

Qualitative risk assessment of a Dual Fuel (LNG-Diesel) system for heavy-duty trucks

A Dual Fuel (LNG-Diesel) system can be applied to heavy-duty diesel trucks for achieving environmental benefits in comparison to existing diesel vehicles. Because of lack of reports about risk assessment of this technology, we performed a qualitative assessment based on a framework of some literature techniques for risk identification, analysis and evaluation. After constructing a Reliability Block Diagram (RBD) to establish the context, we conducted bow-tie analysis, Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), likelihood and consequence analysis, and used a risk matrix. We applied these methods and techniques qualitatively to identify causes (e.g. collisions), critical events (e.g. releases of natural gas), related consequences (e.g. fires and explosions), and different possible pathways from a specific cause to its consequence, and to assess some negative accident scenarios related to use and parking of the vehicle. The bow-tie analysis also allowed to make explicit barriers and controls that prevent critical events and/or mitigate consequences. Therefore, we identified a set of safety measures, including design, technical, management, and emergency actions, which shall be implemented in each step of the system's life cycle.Our risk assessment showed that the risk level of the Dual Fuel (LNG-Diesel) system is similar to the risk level of a traditional diesel system. Future research will overcome current lack of data and, therefore, permit a quantitative rating of the risk of the Dual Fuel (LNG-Diesel) system.     

Joint applicability test of software for laboratory assessment and risk analysis

Most of the available risk management methods are not directly applicable to academic research laboratories. One solution to systematically perform risk analyses in this environment is the Laboratory Assessment and Risk Analysis (LARA) method. This method was developed to allow untrained personnel to identify of possible risks and rank them according to their importance. The purpose of this study was to find out, if this method can be used as a holistic risk management technique in different environments, and which are the differences when comparing the results to other, well established risk analysis techniques. The risk analyses were performed at two European universities and for various procedures. The results show, that the LARA procedure is more easily performable than the other methods and gives comparably adequate results. Being applicable by non-experts, this holistic risk analysis method for research laboratories can help to reduce the accident rate in the academic environment.     

Dynamic risk assessment of oil spill scenario for Three Gorges Reservoir in China based on numerical simulation

A novel method for dynamic risk assessment of oil spill accidents based on numerical simulation was presented in this paper. The dynamic risk assessment model was developed consisting of a comprehensive list of caused consequences like environmental damage, asset loss, health impact and social effect as well as emergency actions preventing these losses. Contributing events in the Mater Logic Diagram (MLD) of the dynamic risk assessment model were valued based on the simulated evolvement of oil contaminants under spill scenario on quasi-static fluid, which was obtained by coupling an oil spill model with hydrodynamic module in Jialing river of Three Gorges Reservoir in China after the impoundment of the reservoir to 175 m water level in 2010. Calculated result of dynamic risk as grade IV indicated that the assessed oil spill was not as catastrophic as we thought because of the slow transport of oil fractions on water surface and absence of dispersed oil in water body due to the quasi-static fluid, very gentle wind and effective emergency actions, as well as by the reason that rare agriculture or industrial crops exist in spill adjacent area.     

基于FERC模型的油品流淌火灾定量风险评估方法研究

为了评价油品储运过程中的流淌火灾风险,提出1种基于FERC模型的油品流淌火灾定量风险评估方法。以某汽油管道为例,分析大孔泄漏、中孔泄漏、小孔泄漏３种模式下流淌火各参数的动态变化过程,计算管道周边不同位置处的个人风险值。研究结果表明:流淌火燃烧面积的最大值随泄漏速率的增加而增大,对于给定的算例条件,大孔泄漏情景下的最大燃烧半径较小孔泄漏增大了18.4倍;相较小孔泄漏,大孔泄漏下安全距离增大了6.7倍;在距离泄漏点100 m的位置,小孔泄漏、中孔泄漏和大孔泄漏条件下的辐射热流密度值分别为0.13,1.34,8.02 kW/m2;距离泄漏点34 m处时,大孔泄漏已经占总个人风险的99%;在开展风险评价时,应着重分析大孔泄漏的情景。     

Improvement of integrity management for pressure vessels based on risk assessment - A natural gas separator case study

The process of oil and gas processing plant is complex, the types of pressure vessels are rich, and the functions are critical. However, the working medium is mostly untreated medium, and the hazard factors are complex, which poses a threat to the safe production of oil and gas processing plant. Based on PDCA cycle, this paper establishes a six-step links of integrity management for sustainable improvement of pressure vessels. The typical failure modes of pressure vessels are determined, and the fishbone diagram of risk factors under each failure mode is compiled. Risk quantification and classification of pressure vessels based on failure modes (RBFM) is innovatively proposed. Avoiding incalculable failure frequency index, the process quantification of failure possibility is formed according to the development of hazard factors. A failure consequence calculation model based on the leakage affected area was established. Combined with the failure probability level and risk level, the hierarchical inspection strategy for pressure vessels under different failure modes is established. Finally, the method is applied to the natural gas separator of H processing plant. The research results show that RBFM proposed in this paper can meet the requirements for rapid and accurate risk assessment of pressure vessels in oil and gas processing plant. This paper establishes a safe production barrier for the pressure vessel and improves the intrinsic safety of the equipment.     

New methodologies for security risk assessment of oil and gas industry

The oil and gas industry forms a vital and large part of the economy of any country. It provides crucial support to transport, manufacturing and energy sectors, produces valuable exports and provides huge employment. This industry along with fertilizer plants, petrochemical plants, etc., which handle hazardous chemicals, are potential targets for deliberate actions by terrorists, criminals and disgruntled employees. The process industries face different levels of threats. It is imperative to analyze the entire threat scenario before taking steps to counter it, otherwise each and every threat will have to be treated as most severe, thus resulting in a huge and wasteful expenditure.The Security Risk Factor Table (SRFT) and a Stepped Matrix Procedure (SMP) have been developed to assess the security risk of oil and gas industry as well as the other chemical process industries. While the SRFT deals with the effects of individual threats, the SMP deals with the cascading/domino effects which a lone, low probability event can cause. A case study of a refinery has been performed to show the application of the ideas presented.     

Selection of failure frequency and its impact on risk assessment – A case study from plot plan optimisation

Facility Siting is an important phase of project development. A critical stage is plot plan optimisation, where significant potential hazards are eliminated due to equipment spacing. In addition to ensuring appropriate compliance with minimum spacing requirements, occupied building studies to achieve compliance with the requirements of API 752 and API 753 could also be undertaken to optimise safety outcomes. The studies are done in three stages, where the first stage is hazard identification, second stage is consequence assessment and the third stage is risk assessment. Third stage assessments are only carried, if the consequence based siting recommendations are not practical to implement.This paper presents the challenges in estimating risk due to process hazards with a focus on selecting right event likelihood data. A comparison is presented on the variation in predicted risk levels based on equipment failure rates and leak frequencies.Case study of a plot plan optimisation study is undertaken with DNVGL Phast Risk and the variation in risk levels up to two orders of magnitude are recorded. Challenges such as adaption of data for local conditions, consistent definitions of failure, sample size of data, applicability of data play a significant role in identifying and correctly quantifying the risk levels. Such challenges and its impact on risk quantification are presented in this paper as well as its impact on facility siting.     

The evolution of flame length for the oil tank fire with different top cover widths and lip heights

This study presents a quantitative analysis and interpretation of the variation in oil tank fire flame lengths for different oil tank sizes, top cover widths, and horizontal air flow velocities. The experimental results show that, at first, the flame length rises slowly with an increase in air flow speed. Then, once over a critical speed (0.6 m/s), the flame length decreases significantly with a further increase in air flow speed. Based on the characteristic length, a new dimensionless heat release rate is obtained, allowing the correlation between flame length, air flow speed, and dimensionless heat release rate to be calculated, which can be used to predict the flame length of an oil tank fire under different air flow speeds, lip heights, and cover widths.     

油气长输管道作业分级定量风险评价方法研究及应用

为客观掌握油气管道生产运营岗位主要作业风险,实现油气长输管道企业作业风险管理,提出一种作业分级定量风险评价方法。首先,辨识油气管道系统主要危险作业类型和引起作业事故的危险有害因素;然后由作业分级法确定事故发生的可能性与严重性;最后建立基于作业分级的风险矩阵,得到各作业活动的风险级别。将该方法应用于某管道公司,以该公司生产区内部高处作业为例,对作业过程中的危险有害因素进行识别与评价,得出高处作业过程中各步骤的风险程度。结果表明该评价方法具有一定的可操作性,可反映各类危险作业过程中的风险程度,为后期有针对性的风险控制提供指导,有助于公司的风险管理。     

Developing a new alternative risk assessment framework in the work sites by including a stochastic and a deterministic process: A case study for the Greek Public Electric Power Provider

An individual method cannot achieve the optimum risk-assessment result in the worksites, and future perspectives should focus on the parallel application of a deterministic approach with a stochastic approach. In particular, the risk analysis and assessment techniques of the deterministic (DET) approach are classified into three main categories: (a) the qualitative, (b) the quantitative, and (c) the hybrid techniques (qualitative-quantitative, semi-quantitative). Furthermore, the stochastic (STO) approach includes the classic statistical approach (CSA) and the accident forecasting modeling (AFM). The objective of this paper is triple: (a) the presentation and classification of the main risk analysis and risk assessment methods and techniques of the deterministic approach and the stochastic approach as well, (b) the development and presentation of a new alternative risk assessment framework (called as STODET) including a stochastic and a deterministic process, and (c) the application of STODET in the Greek Public Power Corporation (PPC) by using occupational accidents that have been recorded, during the 17-year period of 1993-2009. In particular, the STODET application proves that required actions (or suppressive measures) are essential and must be taken in a medium-term period (1 working year) for abolishing the hazard sources.