Assessing the influence of real releases on explosions: Selected results from large-scale experiments

The research activities in the project Assessing the Influence of Real Releases on Explosions (AIRRE) included a unique series of large-scale explosion experiments with high-momentum jet releases directed into congested geometries with subsequent ignition. The primary objective for the AIRRE project was to gain improved understanding of the effect that realistic releases and turbulent flow conditions have on the consequences of accidental gas explosions in the petroleum industry. A secondary objective was to develop a methodology that can facilitate safe and optimal design of process facilities. This paper presents selected results from experiments involving ignition of a highly turbulent gas cloud, generated by a large-scale, pressurised release of natural gas. The paper gives an overview of the effect on maximum explosion overpressures of varying the ignition position relative to the release point of the jet and a congested region placed inside the flammable cloud, with either a high or a medium level of congestion. For two of the tests, involving a jet release and the medium congestion rig, the maximum overpressures significantly exceeded those obtained in a quiescent reference test. The paper presents detailed results for selected tests and discusses the effect of the initial flow field generated by realistic releases – including turbulence, net flow and concentration gradients – on relevant explosion phenomena.     

Suppression effects of powder suppressants on the explosions of oxyhydrogen gas

Suppression tests of oxyhydrogen gas explosions were performed in an explosion tube with five types of dry powder used as the suppressants. The experimental results showed that the powder with large dust cloud density and small radius has better suppression effect, which agrees well with previous correlative results. Moreover, our results also showed that particles with chemical activity and light material density, their suppression effect are more prominent than that of the inert particles with heavy density. To discover the detailed suppression process of dust powder, governing equations were developed based on the homogeneous reactive two-phase flow. The TVD scheme and the Lax–Wendroff–Rubin scheme were adopted to solve the reactive gas phase and particle phase, respectively. The time splitting technique was employed to handle the stiffness of the coupled equations. Our calculated results showed that the dust cloud has the suppression effect on the explosion of oxyhydrogen gas, and with the increase of dust cloud density or the decrease of particle diameter, its suppression effect become more evident, which is in good agreement with our experimental results, in addition, the numerical results showed that with the same particle diameter, the suppression performance is enhanced with the reduction in particle material density.     

高压天然气非恒定速率泄漏扩散数值模拟研究

为保障天然气工业安全生产与运营,以某天然气储配厂为例,采用等效喷嘴和过程模型,利用FLACS软件对罐区高压天然气非恒定速率泄漏扩散进行数值模拟,考察环境风速及泄漏时间对气体泄漏扩散的影响.结果表明:储存压力为1.05 MPa的天然气储罐发生泄漏会产生欠膨胀射流,泄漏初期具有447.44 kJ的高动能,并在近场扩散起主导...     

风速对LNG泄漏扩散过程影响的数值模拟

为研究环境风速对液化天然气(LNG)泄漏扩散过程的影响,采用Fluent建立LNG连续泄漏计算流体力学模型,开展不同风速下LNG泄漏扩散过程的数值模拟研究。结果表明,LNG泄漏扩散分为扩散初期、扩散中期、扩散后期3个阶段,扩散过程中LNG从低温重气逐渐转变成轻质气体。环境风速对气云的扩散主要体现在:低于5级风时,云团以两侧卷吸为主,气云表现为"叶状分叉"、中间低两端高,此时气云横风向扩散较快,甲烷扩散距离与冻伤距离随风速增大而增大;而高于5级风时,云团以顶部卷吸为主,气云表现为云团坍塌、中间高两端低,此时气云垂直风向扩散较快,甲烷扩散距离与冻伤距离随风速增大而减小。初步建立了LNG蒸气云爆炸风险范围与冻伤区域和泄漏时间、环境风速的函数关系,可为爆炸风险区域和低温冻伤区域的预测提供理论支撑。     

重大事故后果模拟法在天然气场站安全评价中的应用

场站是气田集输的枢纽,也是高风险存在和集中的场所.本论文采用重大事故后果模拟分析法建立天然气泄漏速率估算模型、蒸气云爆炸模型,并以陕北某一天然气场站为例,借助Risk System软件对天然气泄漏速率和泄漏量以及蒸气云爆炸最大事故进行数值模拟.模拟分析结果有助于对天然气场站可能发生的各种事故进行风险评价,也有助于对各类...     

Evaluating the potential for overpressures from the ignition of an LNG vapor cloud during offloading

Ignition of natural gas (composed primarily of methane) is generally not considered to pose explosion hazards when in unconfined and low- or medium-congested areas, as most of the areas within LNG regasification facilities can typically be classified. However, as the degrees of confinement and/or congestion increase, the potential exists for the ignition of a methane cloud to result in damaging overpressures (as demonstrated by the recurring residential explosions due to natural gas leaks). Therefore, it is prudent to examine a proposed facility’s design to identify areas where vapor cloud explosions (VCEs) may cause damage, particularly if the damage may extend off site.An area of potential interest for VCEs is the dock, while an LNG carrier is being offloaded: the vessel hull provides one degree of confinement and the shoreline may provide another; some degree of congestion is provided by the dock and associated equipment.In this paper, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software FLACS is used to evaluate the consequences of the ignition of a flammable vapor cloud from an LNG spill during the LNG carrier offloading process. The simulations will demonstrate different approaches that can be taken to evaluate a vapor cloud explosion scenario in a partially confined and partially congested geometry.     

Influence of built-in obstacles on unconfined vapor cloud explosion

The obstacle structure in the vapor cloud has a significant influence on the gas explosion. Obstacles could not only lead to the acceleration of flame, but also they may occupy some space, thus affecting the amount of combustible gas. In this paper, a new two-step method was proposed to respectively study the effects of the obstacles amount and volume blockage ratio (VBR) on the gas explosion by using Computation Fluid Dynamic software AutoReaGas, and the obstacles in the vapor cloud were set to “Solid” instead of “Subgrid”. Based on the results and analysis, it is found that the peak overpressure and the maximum combustion rate rise with the increase of the number of obstacles for a single VBR, which indicated that the vapor cloud explosion of more obstacles was more dangerous for a single VBR. However, under a single number of obstacles, the peak overpressure and the maximum combustion rate increase firstly and then decrease as VBR increases and reach the highest at the VBR of 0.74, which indicated that the intensity of vapor cloud explosion reach a peak at a certain VBR in the middle instead of the largest. In addition, the existence and structure of obstacles have little effect on the size of explosion fireball when the size and concentration of combustible gas cloud are the same.     

Ventilation theory and dispersion modelling applied to hazardous area classification

Critical formulae given in the current Explosive Atmospheres Hazardous Area Classification Standard IEC 60079-10-1 (2008) [BS EN 60079-10-1, 2009] to determine the expected gas cloud volume which is used to determine area classification do not have any scientific justification. The standard does allow the alternative use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods, which serve to compound the concern with these formulae: the predicted volume of the gas cloud from CFD models being several orders of magnitude smaller than that given by the formulae in question. To resolve such major discrepancies, replacement of the current formulae with a scientifically validated approach is proposed. Integral models of dispersion and ventilation have been used routinely for many years in the analysis of major hazards in the chemical industry. This paper presents an adaptation of these models to determine the expected volume of a gas cloud arising from a release of gas from a pressurised source. A very simple integral jet model is presented for outdoor dispersion, extended to the case of indoor dispersion, from which the volume of the gas cloud is derived. The single free parameter, an entrainment coefficient, is fixed by comparison with data on a free jet, and then predictions of the model are compared with CFD calculations (which themselves have been validated against experimental data) for dispersion within an enclosed volume. The results of this simple integral model are seen to agree very well with the CFD predictions. The methodology presented here is therefore proposed as a scientifically validated approach to Hazardous Area Classification.     

The TNO multi-energy method combined to mathematical programming and computational fluid dynamics for optimisation of gas detectors

Gas leakage is a matter of concern for several industries such as oil and gas, mining, food, and healthcare. When the industry considers gas detectors, the main questions are: How many gas detectors are required? Where is the best location to install them? To answer these questions Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and optimisation procedures are employed to calculate the plume location and plume volume to better position the gas detectors. We investigated how the optimisation cell size for the set covering problem can be calculated based on a given explosion overpressure threshold. Resorted by the multi-energy explosion model, we calculate the flammable cloud volume associated with a pre-defined overpressure value. The cloud volume is applied in the solution of the set covering problem and an optimal set for the gas detectors is obtained. The final gas detector network (number and location of the devices) is validated against CFD simulations for small releases. The results provide evidence that the optimal gas detector networks is able to detect gas leaks within a feasible time.     

An integrated quantitative hazard analysis method for natural gas jet release from underground gas storage caverns in salt rock. I: Models and validation

It is very important and necessary to perform quantitative hazard analysis for possible accidental leakage from an underground gas storage cavern in salt rock. An integrated quantitative hazard analysis method for natural gas jet release from salt caverns is presented in this paper, which was constituted by a revised model for gas leakage rate calculation, a consequence analysis and a model of probability assessment for harm. The presented method was validated by comparing the analytical results with the data collected from the real accidents (including the leakage, jet fire, fireball and vapor cloud explosion). It is indicated that the proposed method was more accurate than the TNT equivalence method for vapor cloud explosion and gave more reasonable results when applied to the consequence analysis for the thermal radiation from jet fire and fireball.     

Effect of separation distance on gas dispersion and vapor cloud explosion in a storage tank farm determined using computational fluid dynamics

Storage tank separation distance, which considerably affects forestalling and mitigating accident consequences, is principally determined by thermal radiation modeling and meeting industry safety requirements. However, little is known about the influence of separation distance on gas dispersion or gas explosion, which are the most destructive types of accidents in industrial settings. This study evaluated the effect of separation distance on gas dispersion and vapor cloud explosion in a storage tank farm. Experiments were conducted using Flame Acceleration Simulator, an advanced computational fluid dynamics software program. Codes governing the design of separation distances in China and the United States were compared. A series of geometrical models of storage tanks with various separation distances were established. Overall, increasing separation distance led to a substantial reduction in vapor cloud volume and size in most cases. Notably, a 1.0 storage diameter separation distance appeared to be optimal. In terms of vapor cloud explosion, a greater separation distance had a marked effect on mitigating overpressure in gas explosions. Therefore, separation distance merited consideration in the design of storage tanks to prevent gas dispersion and explosion.     

基于稳定风场的埋地天然气管道泄漏数值模拟

针对目前城镇埋地管道天然气泄漏研究模拟工况简单、可信性较低等问题,考虑障碍物对环境风场的影响,利用计算流体力学（CFD）软件建立天然气管道三维泄漏模型,将模拟过程分为环境风场的稳态模拟和管道泄漏扩散的瞬态模拟两步,分析天然气泄漏扩散规律。结果表明:在风场稳态模拟中,建筑物附近风场受干扰明显,上游形成小范围的低速滞留区,下游形成较长的尾迹。在天然气泄漏扩散瞬态模拟中,土壤层天然气受风速影响较小,气体在近地面及贴近建筑物侧积聚,扩散范围随时间逐渐趋于稳定,泄漏扩散达到稳定后表现出土壤层积聚、气云沉降、贴近建筑物积聚、气云扩散局限性的特征。风速主要影响天然气的扩散高度,对水平方向的扩散范围影响较小,风速与天然气扩散高度成反比。     

Risk assessment of major hazards: the effect of ground slope

Liquefied gases, such as chlorine and ammonia, are stored in large quantities at industrial sites. If released accidentally, they form a heavy gas cloud that has the potential to kill or injure large numbers of people. The dispersion of such a cloud is thus of interest to the risk assessment community [Nussey, Pantony, & Smallwood, 1992. HSE’s risk assessment tool, RISKAT. In: Major Hazards: Onshore and Offshore. pp. 607–638].Little is understood about the effect of slope on risk. Here, the risk (probability) of being exposed to the gas cloud, given a release, is considered; probability language is needed because wind direction is assumed to be a random variable.This paper shows how the risk of being exposed to toxic gas released over a slope may be estimated using simple physical modelling.The physical model used is that of Tickle [J. Hazard. Mater. 49 (1996) 29], who showed that a finite-volume instantaneous release on an inclined plane can form a stable wedge-shaped cloud that moves down the line of greatest slope. Nonzero windspeeds are accounted for by following Tickle’s suggestion of vectorially adding windspeed to the advection induced by the slope.A range of windspeeds and slopes are considered. The slopes substantially affect the risk in the sense that the predicted risk contours are far from circularly symmetric.     

A CFD based explosion risk analysis methodology using time varying release rates in dispersion simulations

A full probabilistic Explosion Risk Analysis (ERA) is commonly used to establish overpressure exceedance curves for offshore facilities. This involves modelling a large number of gas dispersion and explosion scenarios. Capturing the time dependant build up and decay of a flammable gas cloud size along with its shape and location are important parameters that can govern the results of an ERA. Dispersion simulations using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) are generally carried out in detailed ERA studies to obtain these pieces of information. However, these dispersion simulations are typically modelled with constant release rates leading to steady state results. The basic assumption used here is that the flammable gas cloud build up rate from these constant release rate dispersion simulations would mimic the actual transient cloud build up rate from a time varying release rate. This assumption does not correctly capture the physical phenomena of transient gas releases and their subsequent dispersion and may lead to very conservative results. This in turn results in potential over design of facilities with implications on time, materials and cost of a project.In the current work, an ERA methodology is proposed that uses time varying release rates as an input in the CFD dispersion simulations to obtain the fully transient flammable gas cloud build-up and decay, while ensuring the total time required to perform the ERA study is also reduced. It was found that the proposed ERA methodology leads to improved accuracy in dispersion results, steeper overpressure exceedance curves and a significant reduction in the Design Accidental Load (DAL) values whilst still maintaining some conservatism and also reducing the total time required to perform an ERA study.     

井喷失控点火时间与方位探讨

利用计算流体力学方法(CFD)对井喷失控后天然气扩散过程进行研究,在有限元基础上建立模型,采用κ-ε紊流模型求解得出井喷失控后可燃性蒸气云随时间、风速变化的影响情况,求出稳态以后易爆区域的蒸气云形状。取5.0%和15%作为甲烷的爆炸上、下限,在不同区域进行点火求解爆燃结果,通过比较给出推荐的点火时间和点火方位。该研究成果可对井喷失控蒸气云爆燃危害性进行预测,有助于指导井喷失控进行点火放喷工作,避免爆燃事故的发生。     

氯气和光气爆燃事故源强估算

在建立化学品泄漏的气体排放、液体排放、两相排放模式和爆炸燃烧的火球和气爆，蒸气云爆炸及绝热扩散和池蒸发扩展等模式的基础上，估计分析了氯气和光气爆燃事故源强，即爆炸能量及碎片抛射、冲击波、热辐射和毒云等后果影响     

基于数值模拟的扇形水幕阻挡稀释氯气扩散的影响因素研究

在重气储罐区内设置喷射水幕是安全隔离、控制重气泄漏后扩散和减缓事故后果严重程度的重要措施之一。为此,利用计算流体力学(CFD)模型建立了氯气泄漏扩散模型,对扇形水幕阻挡稀释氯气扩散过程进行了动态模拟及影响因素分析,分别模拟了外界风速、水幕的喷射角度、水幕距泄漏源距离、水幕流量和水幕液滴直径等参数对氯气泄漏后扩散的影响情况。结果表明,合理地设置水幕能够有效阻挡氯气的扩散、缩短危险距离和减少危害面积。在大气稳定的情况下,外界风速、水幕的喷射角度、水幕距泄漏源距离、水幕流量等参数、水幕液滴直径是影响扇形水幕阻挡氯气扩散的重要因素。其中水幕距泄漏源距离和水幕流量2个因素对阻挡稀释效果的影响比较明显,水幕距泄漏源的距离越小,水幕的动量越大,阻挡稀释效果越好,水幕流量适中时效果最好,流量过大或过小阻挡稀释效果都要差一些。因此,合理设置相关参数有利于提高水幕性能,更加有效地降低氯气泄漏事故的后果。     

Dispersion modeling approach for quantification of methane emission rates from natural gas fugitive leaks detected by infrared imaging technique

Recently, infrared optical imaging has been applied in the oil and gas industry as a method to detect potential leaks in pipelines, components and equipment. The EPA suggested that this impending technique is considered as a smart gas LDAR (leak detection, monitoring and repair) for its rapid recognition of leaks, accuracy and robustness. In addition, compared to the conventional method using Total Vapor Analyzer (TVA) or gas sniffer, it has several other advantages, such as the ability to perform real-time scanning and remote sensing, ability to provide area measurement instead of point measurement, and provide an image of the gas which is not visible to naked eye. However, there is still some limitation in the application of optical imaging techniques; it does not give any measurement of gas emissions rates or concentrations of the leaking gas. Infrared cameras can recognize a target gas and distinguish the gas from its surrounding up to a certain concentration, namely the minimum detectable concentration. The value of the minimum detectable concentration depends on the camera design, environmental conditions and surface characteristics when the measurement is taken. This paper proposed a methodology to predict gas emissions rates from the size of the dispersed gas plume or cloud to the minimum detectable concentration. The gas emissions rate is predicted from the downwind distance and the height of the cloud at the minimum detectable concentration for different meteorological conditions. Gas release and dispersion from leaks in natural gas pipeline systems is simulated, and the results are presented.