Influence of the source size on domino effect risk caused by fragments

We developed the movement equations for fragments with the size of the bursting vessel. The ground distributions of fragments, the probability of impact between the fragments and the target, the rupture probability of the impacted target, and the domino effect risk caused by fragments were investigated for different source types and sizes using Monte-Carlo simulations. The distribution of fragments from the lower half of the source vessels onto the ground was non-zero, that is, it is probable that the fragments would hit the target vessel close to the source. The relative difference of impact probability is larger than 10% when the target vessel is within eight times the source diameter for the three types of sources considered. The proportion of impacts of fragments from the lower part of the source to total impact decreased with distance, while that for fragments from the upper part increased. The proportion of upper and lower parts is equal for distance approximately five times the source diameter. The source size needs to be considered along with the distance from the source to the target when less than approximately 14 times the source diameter. Its effect on impact probability and domino effect risk was significant. The rupture probability of the target depended very little on the source size.     

Assessment of the hazard due to fragment projection: A case study

Fragment projection following vessel burst is a possible cause of domino effects in industrial accidents. The projection of fragments from stationary equipment usually follows the catastrophic rupture of process equipment due to internal pressure exceeding design values. In recent years, a detailed model was developed to assess fragment impact probability. The model, based on the use of fragmentation patterns and of a simplified analysis of fragment trajectory, allows the calculation of impact probabilities considering different scenarios leading to vessel burst and fragment projection. In the present study a case-study was analyzed to assess model performance and to test the credibility of the model predictions for fragment number, shape and impact probability. The cumulative probability of fragment impact was found to be in good agreement with the actual distribution of the landing points experienced for the fragments formed in the accident. The maximum projection distance predicted by the model resulted comparable to the maximum landing distance experienced in the accident. The model tested thus seems to yield significant results, well in the range of those experienced in the case-study analyzed.     

基于蒙特卡洛法的储罐爆炸碎片冲击失效模型研究

为定量研究相邻储罐间爆炸碎片冲击的多米诺效应,基于蒙特卡洛方法建立爆炸碎片冲击失效模型。该模型共包括爆炸能量与碎片初始速度、考虑风速及碎片初始位置的碎片三维抛射轨迹、空气阻力、碎片冲击穿透等4个分步模型。基于上述模型,研究储罐爆炸后碎片的初始状态、抛射轨迹以及对相邻储罐的冲击效应。在数值模拟结果的基础上,用储罐最高允许工作压力代替泄放装置的泄压压力来计算爆炸压力,绘制碎片质量及初始速度的直方图,定量分析储罐间距对击中概率的影响。结果表明,热辐射、超压和碎片冲击3种能量作用方式均可能导致储罐间火灾爆炸事故多米诺现象发生,但爆炸碎片冲击导致相邻罐失效的概率较低。     

Estimation of explosion energy based on fragment characteristics

Explosions of vessels containing high pressure gases or superheated liquids are a common accident in the chemical industry. Fragments are the most information-rich physical evidence in accident analysis. A method is presented to calculate the total explosion energy based on the characteristics of fragments from the scene of an accident, such as mass, horizontal displacement, etc. The implicit expressions of the initial velocity can be obtained through analysing the trajectory equations of the fragments and the data obtained from the scene of the accident. The total energy is calculated from the relationship between the total explosion energy and the kinetic energy of the fragment. During the calculation there are some uncertain parameters, e.g., the energy factor and the initial angle. To solve the parameter uncertainties, a Monte-Carlo simulation is introduced. Analysis of an industrial accident shows that it is feasible to estimate the total explosion energy using the maximum probability density interval with the proposed methodology.     

Predicting the ejection velocities of fragments from explosions cylindrical pressure vessels: Uncertainty and sensitivity analysis

The purpose of this study was a refinement of knowledge on predicting the ejection velocities of fragments generated by explosions of cylindrical horizontal pressure vessels. A procedure is proposed for assessing these velocities by means of the stochastic simulation. The procedure is used to quantify uncertainties related to the ejection velocities and to carry out a simulation-based sensitivity analysis. The main finding is that the currently available information on phenomena related to the vessel fragmentation is sparse and, therefore, predicting ejection velocities will require a substantial amount of subjective judgement. It was found that ejection velocities are functions of a relatively large number of random input variables, many of which must be modelled subjectively. The study revealed also the need to choose subjectively between several alternative mathematical models used to specify input variables that influence the ejection velocities. The most critical choice must be made between several models used for an assessment of the energy liberated during vessel explosions. Results of the sensitivity analysis indicate that the ejection velocities are influenced mainly by input variables used to express energies involved in the prediction problem. Increased sensitivity to filling ratio of a two-phase pressure vessel was also detected. Results of the study can be used for an improvement of estimation of fragment impact probabilities and design of protective barriers that are built close to the pressure vessels posing explosion hazard.     

Effect of spark duration on explosion parameters of methane/air mixtures in closed vessels

The paper outlines an experimental study on influence of the spark duration and the vessel volume on explosion parameters of premixed methane–air mixtures in the closed explosion vessels. The main findings from these experiments are: For the weaker ignition the spark durations in the range from 6.5 μs to 40.6 μs had little impact on explosion parameters for premixed methane–air mixtures in the 5 L vessel or 20 L vessel; For the same ignitions and volume fractions of methane in air the explosion pressures and the flame temperatures in both vessels of 5 L and 20 L were approximately the same, but the rates of pressure rises in both vessels of 5 L and 20 L were different; The explosion indexes obtained from the measured pressure time histories for both vessels of 5 L and 20 L were approximately equal; For the weaker ignition with the fixed spark duration 45 μs the ignition energies in the range from 54 mJ to 430 mJ had little impact on the explosion parameters; For the same ignition and the volume fractions of methane in air, the vessel volumes had a significant impact on the flame temperatures near the vessel wall; The flame temperatures near the vessel wall decreased as the vessel volumes increased.     

舰船战损评估分析方法研究

对舰船战损分析方法进行系统的分析与建模,对不同武器的炸点分布进行模拟,分析在接触爆炸和非接触爆炸作用下舰船主要设备的破坏模式,分析在爆炸火球、破片和冲击波超压破坏下设备损伤的计算模型,建立设备的冲击响应模型,提出设备的破坏判据,给出爆炸作用下舰船生命力评估的计算机仿真计算方法,并通过数学建摸和模拟分析对系统在破坏环境下的损伤概率进行分析,运用模糊评估法计算系统的生命力指标。计算结果表明,该方法可直观地分析出生命力设计较弱的环节。     

储罐爆炸碎片最可能抛射距离的Monte-Carlo(蒙特卡罗)数值模拟

在总结前人工作的基础上,推导了储罐爆炸碎片抛射距离的理论计算公式,并给出具体的计算方法;分析了计算参数的不确定性,同时介绍用Monte-Carlo方法模拟高压储罐爆炸时碎片抛射距离的算法;在数值模拟结果的基础上,计算了碎片抛射距离的分布函数和概率密度函数,引入最可能抛射距离的概念,并指出可以用此来确定碎片抛射的危害范围。该方法对于定量评价储罐爆炸碎片危害性,减缓和控制碎片产生的风险,具有重要的意义。     

Small-scale physical explosions in shock tubes in comparison with condensed high explosive detonations

A series of small-scale experiments involving physical explosions in a 1.6 l pressure vessel was carried out. Explosions were initiated by spontaneous rupture of an aluminium membrane on one side of the vessel at a pressure in the range 1–1.2 MPa. The pressure waves released were measured at different distances along two separate shock tubes, one 10 m long and 200 mm in diameter (closed at one end by the high pressure vessel) and the other 15 m long and 100 mm in diameter.TNT equivalency was used for predicting the blast wave characteristics after vessel rupture. TNT equivalency was used because equations for prediction of peak pressure and impulse of the blast wave in 1-D geometry after detonations of condensed explosives are known. Some experiments with an equivalent amount of real explosive were carried out for comparison with the theoretical and experimental data obtained. The applicability of the TNT equivalency method presented for calculations of maximum pressure and shock wave impulse generated after rupture of the pressure vessel in 1-D geometry is discussed.     

Effects of vacuum levels,carbon dioxide,and structural sizes of linked vessels on dump vessel vented

The method of explosion venting is widely used in industrial explosion-proof design due to its simple operation, economical and practical features. A dump vessel vented platform was built. By changing the vacuum level and the gas in the dump vessels and the structural size of linked vessels, the pressure in the explosion vessel and the dump vessel was compared, and the influencing factors of explosion venting investigated. The main conclusions are as follows: In the explosion venting process, the higher the vacuum in the dump vessel, the smaller the pressure peak of the explosion vessel and the dump vessel, and the faster the explosion pressure is lowered. When the dump vessel is under the same vacuum level and the gas in the dump vessel is CO₂, the maximum pressure of the explosion vessel and the dump vessel is less than the maximum pressure when the containment medium is air. Under the same vacuum condition, the larger the volume ratio of the dump vessel and the explosion vessel, the smaller the pressure peak of the explosion vessel, the faster the explosion pressure drops, and the volume of the dump vessel reaches or exceeds the explosion vessel. Increasing the volume ratio of the containment vessel to the explosion vessel facilitates protection of the explosion vessel and the containment vessel. Under the same vacuum condition, when the gas explosion in 113 L vessel vents into 22 L vessel, the longer the length of the pipe, the greater the maximum pressure in the spherical vessel. When the gas explosion in 22 L vessel vents into 113 L dump vessel, as the pipeline grows, the maximum pressure in the two vessels decreases, but the reduction is not significant. In practical application, it is recommended to use a vacuum of 0.08Mpa or more for the dump vessel vented, and the containment medium is CO_2.In terms of the structural size of the container, it is recommended that the ratio of the receiving container to the explosion container be as large as possible, and the pipe length be as long.     

浅谈提高爆炸容器使用安全性的技术措施

针对爆炸容器工作时 ,产生的爆炸冲击波、破片、有害气体、振动及噪声等危害因素 ,简述了国内外使用爆炸容器时 ,采取的一些相关安全技术措施 ;提出了将结构健康监测技术应用于爆炸容器寿命安全评估的构想     

The analysis of domino effect impact probability triggered by fragments

Explosion fragments are the main cause of domino effect in accidents of the chemical and process industry. A number of significant studies have been conducted to further our understanding of the mutual impact of two major hazard installations (MHIs). This work focused on the development of a new model for the impact probability of domino effect triggered by fragments. Firstly, an expression for the initial projection velocity of fragments was founded by taking the explosion moment as a polytropic process and solving energy transformation equation, then the flight trajectory and velocity were represented by some equations with the flight boundary conditions in flight process under gravity and air friction. With the obtained equations as the objective function, the projection uncertainty was analyzed through sampling of the random variables. Finally, a new systemic model for the impact probability of domino effect is put forward by integrating the flight laws and projection uncertainty of fragments, and the impact probability linear equations with the coefficient matrix of secondary effect were built up in order to calculate the impact probability of domino effect. The study on domino effect impact probability provides some useful insights into the generation mechanism, projection features, flight laws and impacts on targets of the fragments, and also lays a foundation for analysis of domino chain risk caused by explosive fragments in chemical industrial complex.     

Numerical investigation and analysis of indoor gas explosion: A case study of “6·13” major gas explosion accident in Hubei Province,China

Taking the ' 6·13 ′ major gas explosion accident in Shiyan, Hubei Province, China as an example, three problems were studied in this work: (1)The determination of the volume of natural gas involved in the explosion; (2)The propagation process of shock wave inside the building and the damage evolution process of the accident-related building; (3)The overpressure and fragment injury to the person outside the building. Through the numerical simulation in ANSYS/LS-DYNA software, the volume of natural gas involved in the explosion is determined to be 10240 × 1400 × 400 cm (length × width × height) from three perspectives: the damage to the building, the distribution of overpressure inside the building, and the TNT equivalent of the explosion energy. The simulation results are in good line with the accident, which verifies the effectiveness of the scheme and the accuracy of the numerical model. Based on the reasonable filling scheme, the propagation process of shock waves inside the building, the damage evolution process of the building, and the injury ranges of overpressure and fragments outside the building are analyzed. It can be found that the propagation of shock waves in confined space is complex and variable. The explosion shock waves are first reflected and superimposed in the watercourse, resulting in pressure rise. At about 8ms, the shock waves rushed into the first-floor space of the building, and the maximum overpressure was about 0.56 MPa. At about 50 ms, the shock waves rushed into the second-floor space, and the maximum overpressure was about 0.139 MPa. The first and second-floor slabs and infilled walls were almost completely destroyed. The interior walls of the infilled walls are mainly collapsed, and the exterior walls are ejection around the building as the center. The peak displacement and peak velocity of the interior walls of each floor are about 15% of the exterior walls. The fragments which cause fragment injury mainly come from the retaining wall above the watercourse, the maximum velocity is about 89 m/s, and the maximum displacement is 8.9 m. The safety distance of fragment injury is about 8.8 m, while the safety distance of overpressure injury is about 4.6 m. The lethal distance of fragment injury is greater than that of overpressure injury. Compared with the distance between different damage levels of overpressure injury, the difference in fragment injury is small. Therefore, the safety assessment at the engineering level only needs to consider the safety distance of fragment injury. This study can provide suggestions for evaluating the damage of natural gas cloud explosions in confined spaces and is helpful for accident investigation and safety protection.     

Explosions of carbon black and propane hybrid mixtures

Explosions of hybrid mixtures, i.e. mixtures containing more than one combustible phase, are not well understood. Most studies in this area involve mixtures of common dusts and gases, such as coal and methane, or polyethylene and ethylene. The present work focuses on explosions of carbon black particles, i.e. almost pure carbon with a very low content of volatiles: this makes the process of explosion less intense. However, addition of some quantities of combustible gases (here: propane) may sustain combustion processes. Another important issue is the fact that the carbon black particles are smaller in size than most dusts encountered in the process industry. The experiments were carried out in a 20-L explosion vessel and the analysis of the results focuses on the maximum explosion pressures and the maximum rates of pressure rise as a function of carbon black and propane concentrations. In addition, some samples of unburnt dust were collected and analysed with a scanning electron microscope and with thermo-gravimetric analysis.     

化工储罐间距和体积对爆炸碎片多米诺效应概率的影响

化工储罐爆炸后将产生大量碎片,这些抛射碎片一旦击中相邻罐体容易引发多米诺效应。碎片的抛射方位和抛射距离具有很大的随机性,已有研究多采用概率模型来描述碎片抛射的各分过程。通过总结和发展已有的分过程模型,建立了求取多米诺效应的综合概率模型,并基于蒙特卡罗算法编制了模拟软件,可对化工储罐多米诺效应的发生概率进行预测计算。选取若干常用化工球罐为相邻目标储罐进行实例分析,计算结果表明储罐间距和体积是影响多米诺效应发生概率的两个重要影响因素：随着距离的增大,多米诺效应发生概率不断减小;目标储罐体积越大,多米诺效应发生概率将越大。其中,爆炸碎片对目标储罐的击中概率受上述因素的影响程度更大。该文工作对化工储罐区的安全评价具有一定的参考价值。     

Making hybrid mixture explosions a common case

Explosions of gas-dust hybrid mixtures have long been considered as particular cases encountered in specific industrial contexts. However, it should be reminded that during the explosion of an organic powder, the presence of a hybrid mixture composed of the dust itself and its pyrolysis gases is compulsory. On these premises, an experimental study to determine the role of cellulose pyrolysis products (gaseous, condensable and solid) on the global phenomenon is presented. Hybrid mixture explosion tests were exploited to carry out the investigation. The G-G furnace and the 20 L sphere were employed. Several experimental strategies were chosen to demonstrate the impact of pyrolysis reaction on the explosion of organic powders: i) the fuel equivalence ratio of the reactive mixture (case 1), or ii) the mass of reactants (case 2) were respectively kept constant, iii) the effects of water vapor, char and tar were tested. They were next compared to identify the most suitable one. The two first experimental approaches lead to significantly different results: only case 2 keeps the maximum explosion pressure almost constant, but maximum rate of pressure rises and deflagration index greatly decrease when the pyrolysis gases concentration decreases, which highlights the importance of the pyrolysis reaction on the explosion kinetics. It should also be stressed that the maximum explosion severity is not obtained for the pure gases but when a small dust content is added. The same evolution is observed when a small amount of char is introduced to pyrolysis gases, which underlines the influence of the radiative transfer. Adding small amounts of tar to cellulose tends to increase its explosion severity. However, this impact is less than that generated by the addition of pyrolysis gases.     

Structural response for vented methane–air deflagrations: Effects of volumetric blockage ratio

To investigate the effects of cylinders placed parallel to the venting direction on the structural response of the vessel walls to an explosion, 25 batches of vented explosion tests were conducted in a 1 m³ rectangular vessel. Two types of structural response with different amplitudes and frequency distributions were observed and evaluated by comparing the vibration data with both the pressure data and high-speed videos. A low-amplitude structural response of approximately 150–250 m/s², which increased slightly as VBR increased, was triggered by a combination of the initial flame propagation, external explosion, Helmholtz oscillations, and the Taylor instability. A high-amplitude structural response of approximately 9500 m/s² was also observed, which decreased sharply as VBR increased. Additionally, the high amplitude response was never observed when more than two cylinders were present in the vessel. The high amplitude response was triggered due to the coupling between the acoustic wave, the flame, and the resonance of the vessel. The presence of obstacles did not increase the severity of the structural responses under the current experimental conditions. To the contrary, the presence of obstacles in the container attenuated or even inhibited the high-amplitude vibration of the container caused by the explosion.     

HAN阻隔防爆模型研究

通过合理简化,利用多方气体状态方程,分别建立油品储运容器内可燃混合气体定容爆炸模型和装设阻隔防爆材料的油品储运容器内可燃混合气体爆炸模型,获得了阻隔防爆性能测试装置的燃爆容器抗爆设计限值,以及其在HAN阻隔防爆测试中燃爆容器试爆压力量级的控制下限值,同时,还给出HAN工程应用中容器留空率的计算方法,具有实际指导意义。     

Investigations on explosion characteristics of ethyl acetate

In this study, the confined explosion characteristics of ethyl acetate were investigated in a constant volume explosion vessel using the initial pressure of 1–4 bar, the initial temperature of 358–418 K, and the equivalence ratio of 0.8–1.4. It was revealed that the peak explosion pressure and the maximum pressure rise rate of ethyl acetate increased as the initial pressure increased and the initial temperature decreased. The peak explosion pressure and maximum pressure rise rate were obtained at the equivalence ratio of 1.2 due to increased heat release rate. Furthermore, the explosion time decreased as the initial pressure decreased. In summation, EA experimental and theoretical deflagration index were investigated and compared. The experimental deflagration index showed that EA explosion was less dangerous, whereas the theoretical deflagration predicted that the explosion could be more hazardous.