Gas explosion analysis of safety gap effect on the innovating FLNG vessel with a cylindrical platform

After investigating gas dispersion on a cylindrical Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) platform (Li et al, 2016), this second article focuses on assessment of gas explosion by using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Gas explosion simulations are carried out to evaluate the explosion overpressure mitigating effect of safety gap. The Data-dump technique, which is an effective tool in resetting turbulence length scale in gas explosion overpressure calculation, is applied to ensure simulation accuracy for the congestion scenario with safety gap. Two sets of different safety gaps are designed to investigate the safety gap on the cylindrical FLNG platform, the overall results indicate that the safety gap is effective in reducing overpressure in two adjacent congestions. However, for the explosion scenario where the flame is propagating through several safety gaps to the far field congestion, the safety gap mitigates overpressure only in certain explosion protecting targets. Two series of artificial configurations are modeled to further investigate the explosion scenarios with more than two safety gaps in one direction. It is concluded that the optimal safety gap design in overpressure mitigation for the cylindrical FLNG platform is to balance the safety gap distance ratio in the congested regions.     

某弹药库设计方案的安全分析

对某弹药库的设计方案进行了安全分析,得到了弹药爆炸时的空气冲击波、振动、飞石等作用的安全距离及相邻库房殉爆的可能性.给出了对原设计方案的改进意见和改进后的安全距离.     

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.     

瓦斯积聚量及爆炸距离对风机和防爆门的影响研究*

为揭示瓦斯积聚量及瓦斯爆炸距离对风机和防爆门的影响机制,利用Fluent模拟软件,结合宁煤集团羊场湾矿的实际情况,在构建三维数学物理模型的基础上,开展不同瓦斯积聚量（56.52,113.04,169.56,226.08 m3）和不同爆炸距离（20,30,50,70 m）条件下的模拟研究。研究结果表明:风机和防爆门处超压峰值随瓦斯积聚量增加而增加,均呈线性关系,瓦斯积聚量为56.52 m3时风机处超压峰值为0.260 MPa,小于风机破坏荷载0.306 MPa;考虑安全系数前提下,当瓦斯积聚量超过56.52 m3时防爆门应开启保护风机;在确定瓦斯积聚量为56.52 m3基础上,分析不同爆炸距离对风机和防爆门影响,由模拟结果可知,风机和防爆门处超压峰值随爆炸距离增加而降低,均呈幂函数关系。研究成果可为瓦斯爆炸对风机和防爆门的影响研究提供指导。     

Acoustic analysis of blast waves produced by rapid phase transition of LNG released on water

Massive offshore and onshore storage of fuel have led the international community to raise questions about the hazards on the surrounding installations and people. Among the possible accidental scenarios when cryogenic gas as liquefied natural gas (LNG) is spilled on water at a very fast rate, the phenomenon of rapid phase transition (RPT) may occur: large amounts of energy are released during phase transition which can generate explosions. The related consequences should be added to the possible consequences of fire in terms of flash fire, fireball, pool fire, and vapour cloud explosion for confined and congested geometry surrounding the release point.In this paper, the analysis of RPT of LNG has been studied from the point of view of blast wave production, through ab initio acoustic analysis for monopole source. Maximum overpressures, as calculated at the source point and along the blast pathway are compared with results of large scale experiments. Safety distances are given for the sake of comparison with threshold distances reported in the open literature.     

Investigations into the influence of dustiness on dust explosions

A new safety characteristic the “dustiness” according to VDI 2263 – part 9 (Verein Deutscher Ingenieure, 2008) is investigated. Dustiness means the tendency of a dust to form clouds. The paper deals with the influence of the dustiness on vented dust explosions. In order to look into the effects of the dustiness on dust cloud formation and explosion properties experiments and simulations in a vertical dust dispersion glass tube apparatus were carried out.Preliminary explosion experiments showed that the dustiness has an influence on the reduced explosion pressure in a vented 75 L test apparatus. Dusts with comparable p_max and K_St values and different dustiness were tested. Dusts with higher dustiness produced higher overpressures, despite comparable safety characteristics. In order to verify the results for applications in the process industries further tests with different settings are planned as well as industrial scale experiments. Characteristics of the dust such as particle size, density, specific surface area and particle shape, which influence the dispersibility, have been determined experimentally.The Euler/Lagrange and the Euler/Euler approaches are compared for simulating an exemplary dust/air mixture. Especially sedimentation and the ability of the approaches to simulate the tendency of dust to stay airborne were investigated. The Euler/Lagrange approach is better suited for simulating local dust concentrations, particle size distributions and particle forces. It could be used to point out regions of high dust concentrations in a vessel. With the Euler/Euler method it is possible to achieve fast solutions for one specified diameter, but the simulated dust/air mixtures are always more homogenous than in reality. ANSYS CFX version 13 was used in all simulations.     

Effect of scale on flame speeds of methane-air

Explosions are the main types of accidents causing casualties in underground coal mines. Research on the mechanisms of gas explosions is needed as a basis for the development of techniques and strategies for explosion prevention, suppression, and mitigation. The prevention of loss in explosion accidents and inquiries into their causes require understanding of the explosion process of methane in air. Because of the high cost and safety issues in full scale experiments, the experiments with small scale ducts have become a key alternative approach. Whether the experimental results at small scales agree with those at full scales needs to be investigated to validate the significance of the experimental results at small scale. Numerical simulation was used to obtain the explosion characteristics of a methane-air mixture in a gallery or duct. If the grid size is too fine in the numerical simulation for a methane-air explosion it is difficult to calculate using the present computer resource. If the grid size is too coarse, the considerable error may result. The effect of grid size on results of calculation depends on the scenario being investigated. The effect of grid sizes on simulation accuracy was analyzed in this work. The overpressure and temperature distributions and the flame propagation for the deflagration of methane-air mixtures in a gallery or duct were obtained by the AutoReaGas code at three different scales. The geometry of investigated objects and the grids in the calculation domain were similar in the three cases. The calculated overpressures vary with the scale. The calculated temperatures do not vary with the scale for the three cases.     

The effect of vent size and congestion in large-scale vented natural gas/air explosions

A typical building consists of a number of rooms; often with windows of different size and failure pressure and obstructions in the form of furniture and décor, separated by partition walls with interconnecting doorways. Consequently, the maximum pressure developed in a gas explosion would be dependent upon the individual characteristics of the building. In this research, a large-scale experimental programme has been undertaken at the DNV GL Spadeadam Test Site to determine the effects of vent size and congestion on vented gas explosions. Thirty-eight stoichiometric natural gas/air explosions were carried out in a 182 m³ explosion chamber of L/D = 2 and K_A = 1, 2, 4 and 9. Congestion was varied by placing a number of 180 mm diameter polyethylene pipes within the explosion chamber, providing a volume congestion between 0 and 5% and cross-sectional area blockages ranging between 0 and 40%. The series of tests produced peak explosion overpressures of between 70 mbar and 3.7 bar with corresponding maximum flame speeds in the range 35–395 m/s at a distance of 7 m from the ignition point. The experiments demonstrated that it is possible to generate overpressures greater than 200 mbar with volume blockages of as little as 0.57%, if there is not sufficient outflow through the inadvertent venting process. The size and failure pressure of potential vent openings, and the degree of congestion within a building, are key factors in whether or not a building will sustain structural damage following a gas explosion. Given that the average volume blockage in a room in a UK inhabited building is in the order of 17%, it is clear that without the use of large windows of low failure pressure, buildings will continue to be susceptible to significant structural damage during an accidental gas explosion.     

受限空间爆炸碎片影响分析

受限空间油气泄漏爆炸会产生巨大的能量,爆炸碎片在抛射距离和抛射方位上具有很大随机性,引发的多米诺事故容易对设备和人员造成重大伤害。为了研究爆炸碎片的影响范围及对设备、人员伤害程度,以地下密闭涵道作为研究对象,考虑爆炸能量影响,采用ANSYS Autodyn模拟软件,重点对涵道覆盖物爆炸碎片进行模拟,定量分析了爆炸碎片的影响范围及在影响区域内对设备、人员造成的伤害程度。结果表明:运用Autodyn软件进行仿真,能够更加准确地得出爆炸碎片的抛射情况及影响范围; 在爆炸能量一定的情况下,碎片的大小是影响设备和人员受伤害程度的重要因素。     

Flame behaviors and pressure characteristics of vented dust explosions at elevated static activation overpressures

Dust explosion venting experiments were performed using a 20-L spherical chamber at elevated static activation overpressures larger than 1 bar. Lycopodium dust samples with mean diameter of 70 μm and electric igniters with 0.5 KJ ignition energy were used in the experiments. Explosion overpressures in the chamber and flame appearances near the vent were recorded simultaneously. The results indicated that the flame appeared as the under-expanded free jet with shock diamonds, when the overpressure in the chamber was larger than the critical pressure during the venting process. The flame appeared as the normal constant-pressure combustion when the pressure venting process finished. Three types of venting processes were concluded in the experiments: no secondary flame and no secondary explosion, secondary flame, secondary explosion. The occurrence of the secondary explosions near the vent was related to the vent diameter and the static activation overpressure. Larger diameters and lower static activation overpressures were beneficial to the occurrence of the secondary explosions. In current experiments, the secondary explosions only occurred at the following combinations of the vent diameter and the static activation overpressure: 40 mm and 1.2 bar, 60 mm and 1.2 bar, 60 mm and 1.8 bar.     

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.     

Effect of ignition position on vented hydrogen–air deflagration in a 1 m3 vessel

This study investigates the effect of the ignition position on vented hydrogen-air deflagration in a 1 m³ vessel and evaluates the performance of the commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code FLACS in simulating the vented explosion of hydrogen-air mixtures. First, the differences in the measured pressure-time histories for various ignition locations are presented, and the mechanisms responsible for the generation of different pressure peaks are explained, along with the flame behavior. Secondly, the CFD software FLACS is assessed against the experimental data. The characteristic phenomena of vented explosion are observed for hydrogen-air mixtures ignited at different ignition positions, such as Helmholtz oscillation for front ignition, the interaction between external explosion and combustion inside the vessel for central ignition, and the wall effect for back-wall ignition. Flame-acoustic interaction are observed in all cases, particularly in those of front ignition and very lean hydrogen-air mixtures. The predicted flame behavior agree well with the experimental data in general while the simulated maximum overpressures are larger than the experimental values by a factor of 1.5–2, which is conservative then would lead to a safe design of explosion panels for instance. Not only the flame development during the deflagration was well-simulated for the different ignition locations, but also the correspondence between the pressure transients and flame behavior was also accurately calculated. The comparison of the predicted results with the experimental data shows the performance of FLACS to model vented mixtures of hydrogen with air ignited in a lab scale vessel. However, the experimental scale is often smaller than that used in practical scenarios, such as hydrogen refueling installations. Thus, future large-scale experiments are necessary to assess the performance of FLACS in practical use.     

Modeling of explosion dynamics in vessel-pipe systems to evaluate the performance of explosion isolation systems

Explosion isolation systems provide critical protection for interconnected vessels and work areas, preventing the spread of explosions through interconnecting pipes and ducts. These systems not only prevent propagating events, but also mitigate the elevated explosion hazards of interconnected vessels, related to pressure piling and enhanced turbulence. Explosion isolation systems can, however, fail catastrophically when they are not properly designed for a use case.Evaluating the performance of explosion isolation systems includes assessing their pressure resistance, flame-barrier efficacy, and determining appropriate installation distances, which typically requires extensive testing. To predict the performance of a system for use cases outside the tested conditions, models are needed to reliably predict both the explosion dynamics and the isolation system response.In this study, a physics-based model for explosion dynamics in vented vessel-pipe systems is developed and validated. An extensive series of large-scale validation experiments were conducted, including tests using an 8 m³ vessel with attached pipes, varying the pipe dimensions, ignition location, and mixture reactivity. The model accurately captures the effects of experimental parameters and predicts the time available for isolation systems to form a flame barrier. This model can help to predict installation distances and reduce the number of tests needed to comprehensively evaluate explosion isolation systems and their use cases.     

基于VR技术的大型储罐火灾爆炸仿真软件设计

为了研究大型储罐事故后果的严重性，针对大型储罐火灾爆炸试验难以实施的情况，以虚拟现实技术为研究手段，重现大型储罐火灾和爆炸事故过程；通过对储罐火灾和爆炸事故进行理论分析，优选出大型储罐火灾爆炸事故后果数学模型；基于某商业原油储备库布置，利用3Ds Max软件对库区进行建模，结合Qt界面编写技术和OSG粒子效果技术进行交互式设计，划分火灾和爆炸2大仿真模块，设计各模块下属基本功能，形成1套基于真实场景的大型储罐火灾爆炸事故后果三维仿真模拟软件。研究结果表明:基于VR技术的大型储罐火灾爆炸仿真软件具有较强的沉浸感和交互性等特点，能够实时仿真大型储罐火灾爆炸事故动态演变过程，降低大型储罐火灾爆炸试验成本，同时为制定事故应急预案和应急处置措施提供科学参考。     

受限空间障碍物截面变化对混合气体爆炸特性参数的影响研究

为研究障碍物截面变化对混合气体爆炸特性参数的影响规律,运用3D动态流体动力学软件AutoReaGas建立障碍物截面不同变化方式和趋势的爆炸模型,模拟分析截面不同变化方式（渐变、突变）和不同变化趋势（由大变小、由小变大）对气体爆炸特性参数（速度、压力场）的影响程度和规律。研究表明:改变障碍物的截面变化方式和趋势都会影响可燃气体的爆炸参数。对于爆炸压力场,截面变化情况下的爆炸超压大于截面不变的情况,截面渐变大于截面突变的情况,截面由大到小变化与截面由小到大变化下的爆炸超压呈现相反变化趋势。对于爆炸速度场,截面不同变化方式和趋势下的速度变化情况均为在开始的一小段时间内先减小然后逐渐增大。     

The multi-energy critical separation distance

Devastating vapour cloud explosions can only develop under appropriate (boundary) conditions. The record of vapour cloud explosion incidents from the past demonstrates that these conditions are readily met by the congestion by process equipment at (petro-) chemical plant sites. Therefore, the possibility of an accidental release of a flammable and a subsequent vapour cloud explosion is a major hazardous scenario considered in any risk assessment with regard to the process industries.If an extended flammable vapour cloud at a chemical plant site extends over more than one process unit, which are separated by lanes of sufficient width, the vapour cloud explosion on ignition develops the same number of separate blasts. If, on the other hand, the separation between the units is insufficient, the vapour cloud explosion develops one big blast. The critical separation distance (SD) is the criterion that allows discriminating in this matter for blast modelling purposes.This paper summarises some major results of an experimental research programme with the objective to develop practical guidelines with regard to the critical SD. To this end, a series of small-scale explosion experiments have been performed with vapour clouds containing two separate configurations of obstacles. Blast overpressures at various stations around have been recorded while the SD between the two configurations of obstacles was varied.The experimental programme resulted in some clear indications for the extent of the critical SD between separate areas of congestion. On the basis of safety and conservatism, these indications have been rendered into a concrete guideline. Application of this guideline would allow a greater accuracy in the modelling of blast from vapour cloud explosions.     

Biomass explosion testing: Accounting for the post-test residue and implications on the results

This work uses the ISO 1 m³ dust explosion equipment to study the explosion properties and combustion characteristics of pulverized biomass dust clouds. An unreported feature of this apparatus is that in rich concentrations only about half the dust injected is burned in the explosion, while the overpressures remain high. This work was undertaken to try to understand the mechanisms of these phenomena, through the accounting of the debris at the end of the explosion, some of which was found in the form of impacted “cake” against the vessel wall. One possible explanation is that the residue material was biomass dust blown ahead of the flame by the explosion induced wind, impacted on the walls where then the flame side underwent flame impingement pyrolysis and the metal (wall) side material was compacted but largely chemically unchanged. The results also show that the heat transfer insulation provided by the powder wall layer contributes to the higher observed pressures. The risk of explosion with significant overpressures remains at 100% in very rich environments (equivalence ratios of up to 6) although these environments are leaner than thought due to material sequestration within the “cake”. There was little indication that a rich combustion limit was approached, this was determined in standard testing equipment that has been modified and calibrated to handle larger quantities of powder than normal.     

Buncefield: A violent, episodic vapour cloud explosion

Damage caused by the 2005 Buncefield explosion indicates pressures in excess of 2000 mbar over all of the area covered by the vapour cloud. Such high overpressures are normally associated with high (super-sonic) rates of flame spread. On the other hand, evidence from witnesses, building damage analysis and CCTV cameras all suggest the average rate of progress of the explosion flame front was only around 150 m/s.The high overpressures in the cloud and low average rate of flame advance can be reconciled if the rate of flame advance was episodic, with periods of very rapid combustion being punctuated by pauses when the flame advanced very slowly. The widespread high overpressures were caused by the rapid phases of combustion; the low average speed of advance was caused by the pauses.Mechanisms of flame spread through radiative ignition of particulates ahead of the flame front provide possible explanations for such unusual episodic behaviour.The first part of this paper reviews a wide range of empirical evidence on average flame speed and rate of blast pressure increase.The second part explores the theoretical consequences of forward radiation and how the new theory might be developed into a practical means of assessment.     

基于响应面法的木粉尘最大爆炸压力试验研究——以桑木粉尘为例

为研究粉尘质量浓度、粒径和点火延迟时间对木粉尘最大爆炸压力影响,以桑木粉尘为对象,利用1.2 L的Hartmann管进行试验。研究结果表明:最大爆炸压力随着粉尘质量浓度的增加先增大后减小,随着粉尘粒径的增大而减小,随着点火延迟时间的增大而增大。在单因素试验基础上,运用Design-Expert软件对Box-Behnken所设计的响应面试验方案分析,得到影响粉尘最大爆炸压力大小顺序为:点火延迟时间>质量浓度>粒径,同时Design-Expert软件预测出最危险爆炸强度的试验条件为:质量浓度840.24 g/m3,粒径260目,点火延迟时间12 s,最大爆炸压力为0.511 775 MPa,经检验,拟合性较好,为防爆设备本质安全强度设计提供了一定的参考价值。     

Experimental study on vented gas explosion in a cylindrical vessel with a vent duct

A study of vented explosions in a length over diameter (L/D) of 2 in cylindrical vessel connecting with a vent duct (L/D = 7) is reported. The influence of vent burst pressure and ignition locations on the maximum overpressure and flame speeds at constant vent coefficient, K of 16.4 were investigated to elucidate how these parameters affect the severity of a vented explosion. Propane and methane/air mixtures were studied with equivalence ratio, Φ ranges from 0.8 to 1.6. It is demonstrated that end ignition exhibited higher maximum overpressures and flame speeds in comparison to central ignition, contrary to what is reported in literature. There was a large acceleration of the flame toward the duct due to the development of cellular flames and end ignition demonstrated to have higher flame speeds prior to entry into the vent due to the larger flame distance. The higher vent flow velocities and subsequent flame speeds were responsible for the higher overpressures obtained. Rich mixtures for propane/air mixtures at Φ = 1.35 had the greatest flame acceleration and the highest overpressures. In addition, the results showed that Bartknecht's gas explosion venting correlation is grossly overestimated the overpressure for K = 16.4 and thus, misleading the impact of the vent burst pressure.