Potential risks at an industrial site: A wind tunnel study

A gaseous dispersion over a complex urban area after an accident with a leakage of chlorine in a chemical factory is investigated experimentally in a wind tunnel experiment under neutral conditions by using a Laser Doppler Anemometer and Analyser IREX. Diffusion fields in a turbulent boundary layer are simulated using a model of a landscape surrounding the factory at a scale of 1:1000. The obtained results indicate that morphology is one of the important parameters in studying atmospheric diffusion. The strong turbulent mixing inside the urban surface layer has created a rapid decrease in the surface concentrations. Moreover, the diffusion measured in these experiments may be used to develop and evaluate operational models to predict the dispersion of chlorine in a chemical factory.     

n-Compartment mathematical model for transient evaluation of fluid curtains in mitigating chlorine releases

A simple n-compartment mathematical model is developed to study the effectiveness of fluid curtains and transient behaviour in mitigating the effects of an accidental chlorine release. The model is obtained considering chemical and physical absorption effectiveness of the toxic cloud by a reacting liquid curtain. The characteristics of the curtain and the evolution were deeply studied by means of replicated wind tunnel experimental runs, according to different operating parameters. An analytical solution of the model is presented. A fairly good agreement was verified between the model predictions and the original experimental results here presented.     

Measurements and predictions of harmful releases of the gathering station over the mountainous terrain

Having a risk analysis of harmful releases over mountainous terrains through wind tunnel experiment is a frontier problem in China. In this paper, a straight-flow wind tunnel is applied to simulate the atmospheric boundary layer and research the motion of high-sulfur gas released to atmosphere when accidental releases occur in a gathering station over the mountainous terrain. After an analysis of hourly concentration in the field accident for eight wind directions, experimental results reveal that nearby concentration fields are dominated by wind and far-field concentration distribution is dominated by topography, which leads to complete levels of consequence impact for the personnel risk inside and around the gathering station. Based on CFD techniques, a three-dimensional modelling was established in comparison with the wind tunnel experiment, which suggests that CFD prediction had underestimated the near-field gas concentration and the performance could not precisely match actual risks the gathering station causes to the mountainous terrain, which leads to a modified equation for numerical prediction. Instead of proposing a lower personnel risk evaluation obtained through the use of CFD techniques, the wind tunnel experiment offers a new choice for the consequence impact analysis for the petrochemical industry in China.     

A mechanistic model for hydrocarbon plumes rising through water

For releases of hydrocarbons from a subsea pipeline, riser, or production facility, the shape of the plume rising through the water must be predicted prior to any assessment of gas dispersion, liquid pools, or fire above the water surface. The location and size of the plume at the water surface are key parameters for subsequent consequence modeling. A mechanistic model has been developed to predict the plume trajectory and size, based on mass and momentum balances and an empirical water entrainment ratio from the literature. With suitable physical property values available, the model is applicable to releases of gas and/or liquid hydrocarbons, predicting the vaporization and vapor expansion due to decreasing hydrostatic pressure as the plume rises through the water. Some validation of the model was obtained with 16 tests in a small-scale transparent tank. The data cover a wide range of flow rates, including both choked and unchoked flow. The predicted and measured trajectories (centerline displacement) agreed reasonably well. Predictions of the model are presented for three fluids. The model is valuable for assessing the consequences of underwater hydrocarbon releases, providing input for subsequent modeling of gas dispersion or liquid pools and pool fires.     

Reduction of chlorine concentrations by using a greenbelt

This paper presents the experimental results of using a greenbelt to mitigate accidental releases of chlorine from a small storage installation. During the field tests carried out with the shrub Thuya orientalis, Linnaeus (oriental thuya), the ability of such a barrier of vegetation to mitigate accidental releases by reducing the chlorine downstream concentrations was investigated. Visible injuries to the shrubs exposed to chlorine have been noticed, since the damaged areas exhibited typical symptoms with needles necrosis and a burnt orange-brown color. Early defoliation was observed in the vegetation areas directly exposed to the gas plume. It was shown that in the presence of the greenbelt, the chlorine concentrations were lessened by a factor of 4 at a distance of 5 m downstream from the source. This dilution ability vanished swiftly with the distance downstream from the greenbelt.     

泄漏孔高度对液氯槽罐车泄漏后果的影响研究

为研究液氯槽罐车在道路运输过程中,罐体泄漏孔高度对液氯泄漏扩散过程的影响,本文基于计算流体力学软件Fluent,建立不同高度泄漏孔对应的罐体气相、液相空间泄漏的理论模型,计算不同泄漏模型的泄漏量,研究不同风向、风速、泄漏孔径对氯气泄漏扩散过程的影响。结果表明:风向对2种泄漏模式的扩散范围影响不显著;风速较小时,气相空间泄漏的致命范围大于液相泄漏;风速较大时,液相空间泄漏的致命范围远远大于气相空间;同时,两者受风速的影响具有相似点,风速越大泄漏扩散相对稳定后的氯气浓度值越低;气相、液相泄漏模式的致命范围均随泄漏孔径的增大而增大。研究成果可为液氯槽罐车泄漏事故应急救援、应急处置提供依据。     

液氯储罐瞬时泄漏扩散质量浓度分布规律与中毒后果评价

液氯储罐一旦发生泄漏,容易在大气中快速扩散,其扩散速度受到泄漏量、外界风速等条件的影响。为了研究不同风速和泄漏量对氯气扩散规律的影响,分别在泄漏量为2 kg、5 kg,外界风速为2 m/s、5 m/s的条件下,采用Fluent软件模拟了氯气储罐瞬时泄漏后氯气质量浓度随时间的分布规律,并结合氯气的致死浓度,对氯气扩散区域最大质量浓度分布及其毒性致命损伤进行了分析。结果表明,氯气扩散初期,云团浓度较高,重气效应比较明显,随时间增加云团逐渐增大。泄漏量越大,氯气的扩散速度和致死区范围越大,毒性致命损伤时间越短;风速越大,致死区的影响距离越大,但致死区的影响时间大幅度缩短,能有效降低氯气的中毒危害。     

3-D dispersion model for simulation of accidental toxic gas releases in a metropolitan area

Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations were performed to assess the potential chlorine leak scenario in the super-urban area of South Korea, where the human population density is very high and numerous buildings exist near operational water treatment facilities. Flame acceleration simulator (FLACS) was used to predict the consequence from accidental chlorine releases out of one of the water treatment facilities for the nearby area having a size of 5 km × 3 km approximately. The ability to precisely implement 3-D geometries is crucial for a successful 3-D simulation. Thus, a method was proposed to rapidly and accurately implement geometry by importing computer aided-design (CAD) files provided by a government agency, and processing them using Auto CAD and MicroStation software programs. An accidental release from an 18-ton tank was simulated with three different wind directions to determine the expected evacuation distances. Results from the study showed that the endpoint distances varied depending on the density and arrangement of the buildings. Moreover, we employed physical barriers with varying heights for mitigating the effects of toxic gas releases and simulated how effectively they decreased the concentration of released chlorine.     

Toxic release of chlorine and off-site emergency scenario – A case study

Release of chlorine gas causes deaths and injuries to workers and the public, resulting in the evacuation of communities and adversely affecting the environment as a whole. The off-site emergency plan is an integral part of any major hazard control system. This paper highlights some salient features of the emergency scenario from a chemical plant, which ultimately lead to fatal consequences all around upon releases of toxic chlorine gas. A typical scenario illustrating the dispersion model of chlorine (for three isopleths concentration) has been estimated by Complex Hazards Air Release Model (CHARM) software package. The enlarged form of this model diagram has been outlined on the area map of the study area for contingency planning. As a broad guide line to the district authorities for contingency planning, evacuation time has also been calculated with reference to a concentration level of 3 ppm chlorine.     

A simplified steady-state model for air,water and steam curtains

Curtain mitigation systems are modeled here since they have experimentally shown their efficiency in reducing the concentration of certain toxic gases within dense gas clouds. Air, water and steam are analyzed in a model as the physical barriers to decrease the gas concentration. The model, developed for a steady-state mitigation process, is based on the mass, energy and momentum conservation laws. Concentration estimations during the dispersion before and after the mitigation are performed with a SLAB type model. A sensitivity analysis for each model is given to detect which variables have bigger effects. A release of chlorine is used as an example and the results are calculated in a prototype developed in Visual C++, where the model is solved using the Runge–Kutta 4th order method. The results include the effects of composition, speed, temperature and height of the releasing point as well as a comparison with CFD simulations. The proposed model is simplified and it cannot reproduce eddy effects but it is fast and robust enough. The model provides a set of equations that can be used in numerical problems where explicit derivatives are required, e.g. optimizations procedures.     

隧道并行输气管道爆炸对邻管的冲击效应分析

针对隧道内输气管道泄漏发生爆炸对相邻管道的潜在威胁,基于泄漏率的求解,得到爆炸气体的扩散分布规律,确定蒸气云爆炸的TNT当量;利用LS-DYNA有限元软件建立隧道并行输气管道爆炸模型,分析在不同的泄漏尺寸、爆心距和风速下,邻管对爆炸冲击的动力学响应。基于峰值振速的经验公式的验证,表明所采用的管隧模型的可行性。结果表明:在内压和爆炸荷载的共同作用下,隧道内管道的等效应力和速度会出现多个峰值,有别于开敞空间的爆炸规律;泄漏尺寸越小、爆心距和风速越大,管道的动力响应越小;相比爆心距和风速,管道的动力响应峰值对泄漏尺寸的变化更敏感。研究成果可为管隧结构在极端情况下的事故预防和维护抢修提供理论指导。     

“U+L”型通风综采面合理挡风帘长度确定

合理长度的挡风帘可以有效减少工作面漏风量,避免瓦斯超限、爆炸等事故发生,保证工作面安全生产。模拟了有无挡风帘时和不同挡风帘长度时“U+L”型通风综采面采空区流场、瓦斯分布及上隅角等地瓦斯情况,验证了数学模型和参数的适用性,分析了挡风帘对采空区压力分布及瓦斯分布的影响,确定了“U+L”型通风综采面合理挡风帘长度。研究表明:挡风帘对采空区压力及瓦斯分布都有重要影响,挡风帘可以使采空区内特别是挡风帘遮挡区域采空区压力下降、瓦斯浓度升高; 随着挡风帘长度的增加,上隅角瓦斯浓度变化不大,采煤机机尾瓦斯浓度逐渐降低,滞后横川瓦斯浓度呈增大趋势;综合分析确定该采面合理挡风帘长度为120 m。     

The use of water sprays for mitigating chlorine gaseous releases escaping from a storage shed

Accidental releases of toxic gases in partially confined spaces, like a storage shed, can sometimes be controlled by water sprays. This paper presents the results of experimental field tests during which various water sprays were used to mitigate chlorine gaseous releases. The releases (source strength: 1–4 kg/min) simulated a loss of containment occurring at an industrial chlorine storage installation (5 m³). The mitigation performances of different water sprays were investigated for diverse configurations, and under various atmospheric conditions. The best chlorine concentration reduction was achieved close to the source by a mobile upward water spray, with a maximum concentration reduction of a factor 10 at a distance of 5 m downstream from the source, and for a release flow rate of about 2 kg/min. The good performances of a fixed downward flat fan water spray were also pointed out (mean concentration reduction of a factor 2–5 for the whole series of experiments carried out), with an optimum of effectiveness at a distance of 10 m downstream from the source. In low wind speed conditions (U₁₀<1 m/s), the downward flat fan water spray was more effective for weak release flow rates. The mitigation effectiveness by absorption remained slight (<3%).     

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。     

A dynamic approach for evaluating the consequences of toxic gas dispersion in the chemical plants using CFD and evacuation modelling

Accidental releases of toxic gas in the chemical plants have caused significant harm to the exposed occupants. To evaluate the consequences of these accidents, a dynamic approach considering the gas dispersion and behavior evacuation modelling has been proposed in this paper. This approach is applied to a hypothetical scenario including an accidental chlorine release in a chemical plant. CFD technique is utilized to calculate the time-varying concentration filed and evacuation modelling is used to obtain the evacuation routes. The exposure concentrations in the evacuation routes are calculated by using the code of data query. The integrated concentration toxic load model and probit model are used to calculate the probability of mortality of each occupant by using the exposure concentrations. Based on this dynamic approach, a new concept of average probability of mortality (APM) has been proposed to quantify the consequences of different accidental scenarios. The results show that APM decreases when the required detection time decreases or emergency evacuation mode is implemented. The impact of the detection time on APM becomes small as the wind speed increases. The effect of emergency evacuation mode is more obvious when the release occurs in an outdoor space.     

气田井喷硫化氢风洞模拟试验研究

为研究高含硫气田发生井喷事故后硫化氢的扩散运动规律,以重庆开县"12·23"井喷事故为研究对象,利用北京大学的2号环境风洞,制作了1∶2000的比例模型,利用乙烯和丙烯的混合气为示踪气体,采用长采样管方法测量浓度,首次在国内进行了井喷事故后硫化氢扩散的风洞试验,获得了低风速下(源处10m高风速为0.5m/s)N,NE,E,SE,S,SW,W,NW8个风向情况下的硫化氢浓度分布随时间的演化动画,定量地给出了各风向情况下硫化氢的最大浓度分布和各点的浓度时间序列,认为在低风速下,最大硫化氢浓度区域在撞山爬坡时出现,而爬过山坡后在背风区的硫化氢浓度会迅速降低。研究成果将为气田的井喷风险分级以及井喷事故后的应急处理提供参考。     

重气连续泄漏扩散的风洞模拟实验与数值模拟结果对比分析

将重气连续泄漏的风洞模拟实验结果与SLAB重气扩散模型的预测结果进行了对比 ,分析了实验结果与模型预测结果的一致性 ,剖析了重气连续扩散的特点 ,特别是风速对重气连续泄漏扩散的影响 ,提出了在风洞模拟实验及扩散模型方面下一步应做的工作     

钻爆法施工隧道炮烟运移规律数值模拟研究

为了提高钻爆法施工隧道炮烟排烟效率,改善隧道施工环境,以平顶山隧道某一段爆破施工过程为原型,基于质量守恒定律、Fick定律及Boussineg假设,运用计算流体力学软件FLUENT建立压入式通风条件下组分运输模型,分析风筒口至掌子面的距离及风筒入口风速对隧道内风流流场及炮烟浓度分布规律的影响。结果表明:风筒口至掌子面40 m,入口风速为20 m/s,通风时长为18.5 min时,隧道内风流分布稳定,且炮烟浓度均降至最高允许浓度值以下。将模拟结果与现场实测的炮烟浓度分布情况进行对比分析,数据基本吻合,验证了模拟的有效性。     

过程液氯贮槽装置封闭厂房及事故氯吸收塔联用安全效用分析

分析、设立液氯贮槽液相泄漏的几种典型事故情景,并利用液相泄漏、液池蒸发、重气扩散和人员中毒死亡概率等模型对比研究封闭厂房及事故氯吸收塔等安全措施对液氯贮槽液相泄漏扩散中毒后果的影响,给出不同事故情景下液氯泄漏速率、液池半径、液池蒸发速率、室外氯气中毒死亡概率等事故后果特征值。对封闭厂房及事故氯吸收塔安全效用进行定量分析和比较研究。结果表明,液氯贮槽的封闭厂房对抑制液氯泄漏扩散中毒事故后果效用明显;事故氯吸收塔能消除液氯贮槽微小孔泄漏所对应的小事故情景,还能对封闭厂房最严重泄漏事故后果起到初期削峰作用。显然,封闭厂房及事故氯吸收塔联用可以降低液氯贮槽事故影响后果,具有良好安全效用。     

A CFD-based approach for gas detectors allocation

Accidental gas releases are detected by allocating sensors in optimal places to prevent escalation of the incident. Gas release effects are typically assessed based on calculating the dispersion from releasing points. In this work, a CFD-based approach is proposed to estimate gas dispersion and then to obtain optimal gas sensors allocation. The Ansys-Fluent commercial package is used to estimate concentrations in the open air by solving the governing equations of continuity, momentum, energy and species convection-diffusion combined with the realizable κ-ε model for turbulence viscosity effects. CFD dynamic simulations are carried out for potential gas leaks, assuming worst-case scenarios with F-stability and 2 m/s wind speed during a 4 min releasing period and considering 8 wind directions. The result is a scenario-based methodology to allocate gas sensors supported on fluid dynamics models. The three x–y–z geographical coordinates for the sensor allocation are included in this analysis. To highlight the methodology, a case study considers releases from a large container surrounded by different types of geometric units including sections with high obstacles, low obstacles, and no obstacles. A non-redundant set of perfect sensors are firstly allocated to cover completely the detection for all simulations releases. The benefits of redundant detection via a MooN voting arranging scheme is also discussed. Numerical results demonstrate the capabilities of CFD simulations for this application and highlight the dispersion effects through obstacles with different sizes.