Importance of accounting for the piping system and boundary conditions in determining the maximum surge pressure following heat-exchanger tube-rupture

Shell-tube type heat exchangers are often used to exchange heat between a high-pressure fluid and a low-pressure fluid, and the pressure difference between the two fluids could be significantly high. If the difference in the design pressure between the low-pressure (LP) and high-pressure sides is greater than that covered by American Petroleum Institute (API 520 and 521) 10/13^th rule, dynamic analysis is required to ascertain that the maximum surge pressure that could be reached does not compromise the integrity of the LP side of the exchanger. API guidelines also notes that attention should also be given not only to the shell-side of the heat exchanger under evaluation, but also to the “upstream and downstream systems” This paper offers further insight into the importance of including the surrounding piping systems around the subject heat-exchanger where a tube-rupture scenario is considered, and also directs attention to the importance of correctly specifying the appropriate boundary conditions (B.C.) at the far ends of both the upstream and downstream piping systems. It demonstrates the effects of specifying different B.C. on the maximum pressure surge via a case study of a hot separator vapour condenser in a bitumen hydrotreating unit, where the process fluid on the tube-side is a vapour–liquid mixture at 9660 kPa(g). The vapour mass fraction of the process fluid is approximately 0.5, and is mostly hydrogen. The fluid on the LP side is cooling water connected to the plant supply and return cooling systems as well as another adjacent low pressure condenser. The design pressure for the cooling water piping system and the adjacent condenser is 1380 kPa(g).     

Expansion-controlled evaporation: a safe approach to BLEVE blast

A new method is presented to calculate the blast effects originating from an exploding vessel of liquefied gas. Adequate blast calculation requires full knowledge of the blast source characteristics, i.e., the release and consequent evaporation rate of the flashing liquid. As the conditions that allow explosive evaporation are not entirely clear and the evaporation rate of a flashing liquid is unknown, safe assumptions are the starting point in the modelling. The blast effects from a BLEVE are numerically computed by imposing the vapour pressure of a flashing liquid as boundary condition for the gas dynamics of expansion. The numerical modelling is quantitatively explored just for liquefied propane. In addition, it is demonstrated that often an estimate of BLEVE blast effects is possible with very simple acoustic volume source expressions.

The modelling shows that the rupture of a pressure vessel containing a liquefied gas in free space only develops a blast of significant strength if the vessel nearly instantaneously disintegrates. Even if a rupture and the consequent release and evaporation of a liquefied gas extend over just a short period of time, the blast effects are minor.     

Dynamic pressure induced by a methane–air explosion in a coal mine

The hazardous effect of dynamic pressure and strong gas flows induced by a methane–air mixture explosion in underground coal mines is studied. The dynamic pressure effect of a methane–air explosion was analyzed by numerical simulation, in a duct and tunnel. Compared to the overpressure generated by an explosion that can act on a body, the dynamic pressure caused by the high-speed flow of the gaseous combustion products can cause serious damage as well. At the structural opening of a coal mine, the destruction caused by the dynamic pressure induced by a methane–air explosion is more serious than the overpressure. For a tube or tunnel partially filled by a methane–air mixture, the dynamic pressure is lower than the overpressure in the region occupied by the flammable mixture. Beyond the premixed region, the dynamic pressure is of the same order of magnitude as the overpressure.     

Propagation and intensity of blast wave from hydrogen pipe rupture due to internal detonation

The coupled fluid-structure-rupture model was developed to study the propagation and intensity of blast wave from hydrogen pipe rupture due to internal detonation. The dynamic rupture of pipe and propagation of blast wave were well coupled together in every timestep during the simulation. The numerical model was validated with experiments in terms of both typical rupture profiles and blast overpressures. Results reveal that crack branching of pipe can dramatically increase the rupture opening rate which controls the intensity and shape of the resultant blast wave. Due to the process of crack initiation and extension, the blast wave out of the pipe first forms and then is strengthened by the subsequent compression waves. This makes the maximum peak overpressure appears at a certain standoff distance above the rupture. Despite consuming some percentages of energy, the dynamic rupture of pipe generally presents positive effects (up to 2–3 times) on the blast wave intensity along the jetting direction due to the convergence effect of rupture opening on the release of internal high-pressure gas. Finally, through defining normalized overpressure and impulse based on the same hydrogen detonation in open spaces, the quantitative influences of pipe rupture on the blast wave intensity in cases of different detonation pressures and standoff distances are clarified.     

Dust explosions and collapsed ductwork

One of the more obvious consequences of a dust deflagration inside process equipment or a structure is the mechanical damage caused by shock (compression) waves. This overpressure damage is revealed through the displacement of equipment, the outward deformation or rupture of enclosures constructed of ductile materials, or the projection of missiles. However, a different type of damage is sometimes observed in the ductwork connecting process equipment. In particular, the ductwork is collapsed as if it were subjected to an external, rather than an internal pressure. The phenomenon that causes this collapse of thin-walled conduit is a gas dynamic process called an expansion wave. When a dust deflagration travels through a conduit, it accelerates and causes a rise in pressure. When the dust deflagration is vented (say through a deflagration vent), the discharge of the high-pressure combustion products causes the formation of an expansion wave that travels in the reverse direction of the original discharge. The expansion wave causes the pressure in the ductwork to fall below atmospheric pressure. The sub-atmospheric pressure, in turn, causes the ductwork to fail by buckling. In this study, we examine the gas dynamics of the expansion wave, demonstrate how to calculate the degree of pressure drop caused by the expansion wave, and illustrate the concept with case studies of dust explosions.     

Effects of vent layout and vent area on dynamic characteristics of premixed methane-air explosion in a tube with two side-vented ducts

To further elucidate the influence mechanism of side vents on the dynamic characteristics of gas explosions in tubes is helpful to design more reasonable vent layouts. In this paper, 9.5% methane-air explosion experiments were conducted in a tube with two side-vented ducts, and the effects of vent layouts and vent areas on the dynamic characteristics of explosion overpressure and flame propagation speed were investigated. The results demonstrate that under the same condition with a single vent area of 100 mm × 100 mm, when only the end vent is open, the maximum explosion overpressure and the maximum flame propagation speed are the highest among the five vent layouts. When the side vents 1 and 2 and the end vent are open, the maximum explosion overpressure is the lowest, and an unusual discovery is that the flame front changes into a hemispherical shape, finger shape, quasi-plane shape, tulip shape and wrinkled structure. When only side vent 1 is open, a unique Helmholtz oscillation occurs, and a new discovery is that there is a consistent oscillation relationship among the overpressure, flame propagation speed and flame structure. Helmholtz oscillation occurs only when a single vent area is 100 mm × 100 mm–60 mm × 60 mm, and the oscillation degree decreases with decreasing vent area. During the vent failure stage, the maximum explosion overpressure is generated, the flame front begins to appear irregular shape, and the flame propagation speed shows a prominent characteristic peak. After the vent failure stage, the driving effect of the end vent on the flame is higher than that of the side vent on the flame. Furthermore, the correlation equations of the mathematical relationships among the maximum explosion overpressure P_red, the static activation pressure P_stat and the vent coefficient K_v under four vent layouts are established, respectively.     

200 MW燃气流风洞高压氧气系统安全操作分析

为保证200 MW燃气流风洞高压氧气系统安全运行,从初始能量出发,对高压氧气系统充气、供气、排气时管道内的激波管流动、绝热压缩等过程进行安全分析,并提出针对性安全措施。结果表明:对于充气管道内存在的激波管流动,当驱动气体压力为20 MPa、被驱动气体压力为0.1 MPa时,激波反射后末端气体温度远远高于200 ℃,通过减小阀门开启速度,对阀前管道进行充气以减小上下游压差,可避免因绝热压缩产生的高温;供气管道充填时,管道内最高温度为73 ℃,通过控制充填速度,可进一步降低管道内氧气温度;通过高压排气、低压排气2种模式,可满足国标中对氧气流速的要求。研究结果可为氧气管道远程安全操作提供参考。     

不同雷诺数下隔水管绕流模型仿真

为了研究深海钻井过程中不同海况下海流对隔水管振动情况的影响,利用COMSOL软件,建立了圆柱绕流二维仿真模型,对刚性圆柱展开绕流仿真,研究了不同雷诺数(2.5×104Re4.0×105)下隔水管绕流的漩涡脱落形态、升力系数和阻力系数、涡泄频率,斯特哈尔数(Strouhal)的变化规律。结果表明,随雷诺数增大,升、阻力系数减小,涡泄频率增大且近似呈线性关系,斯特哈尔数(Strouhal)在亚临界流区域及亚临界流向临界流过渡区域内基本不变。仿真结果与相关文献及经验值吻合良好,验证了仿真方法对隔水管振动研究的适用性。     

Analysis of hazard areas associated with high-pressure natural-gas pipelines

The rupture of a high-pressure natural-gas pipeline can lead to outcomes that can pose a significant threat to people and property in the immediate vicinity of the failure location. The dominant hazards are thermal radiation from sustained fire and collapse of buildings from explosion inside or in a partially confined area enclosed by buildings. A simplified equation has been developed that relates the diameter, the operating pressure and the length of pipeline to the size of the affected area in the event of a full-bore rupture. The equation is based on release rate, gas jet and heat flux from fire to estimate the hazard area. Hazard area is directly proportional to the operating pressure raised to a half power, and to the pipeline diameter raised to five-fourths power, but inversely proportional to the pipeline length raised to a quarter power. The simplified equation will be a useful tool for safety management of high-pressur natural-gas pipelines.     

Blast overpressures from medium scale BLEVE tests

The measured blast overpressures from recent tests involving boiling liquid expanding vapour explosions (BLEVE) has been studied. The blast data came from tests where 0.4 and 2 m³ ASME code propane tanks were exposed to torch and pool fires. In total almost 60 tanks were tested, and of these nearly 20 resulted in catastrophic failures and BLEVEs. Both single and two-step BLEVEs were observed in these tests. This paper presents an analysis of the blast overpressures created by these BLEVEs. In addition, the blast overpressures from a recent full scale fire test of a rail tank car is included in the analysis.The results suggest that the liquid energy content did not contribute to the shock overpressures in the near or far field. The liquid flashing and expansion does produce a local overpressure by dynamic pressure effects but it does not appear to produce a shock wave. The shock overpressures could be estimated from the vapour energy alone for all the tests considered. This was true for liquid temperatures at failure that were below, at and above the atmospheric superheat limit for propane. Data suggests that the two step type BLEVE produces the strongest overpressure. The authors give their ideas for this observation.The results shown here add some limited evidence to support previous researchers claims that the liquid flashing process is too slow to generate a shock. It suggests that liquid temperatures at or above the Tsl do not change this. The expansion of the flashing liquid contributes to other hazards such as projectiles, and close in dynamic pressure effects. Of course BLEVE releases in enclosed spaces such as tunnels or buildings have different hazards.     

封闭管道油气爆炸超压及火焰传播特性

对油气在封闭管道内的爆炸特性进行研究，发现爆炸超压发展过程可以分为3个阶段:第1次超压上升阶段、第2次超压上升阶段和超压下降阶段。初始油气浓度对爆炸初始阶段的发展有很大影响，油气浓度为1.73%时发展最激烈；当初始油气浓度较高时，在最大超压峰值附近，会产生压力振荡现象；初始油气浓度对Tulip火焰的形成及发展有较大影响，各种浓度油气的爆炸，都有形成Tulip火焰的趋势；当油气浓度适中时，Tulip火焰会一直传播到管道末端，当油气浓度较高或较低时，火焰锋面会经由鲨鱼嘴形状火焰转变为刀尖形火焰，当初始油气浓度为1.73%时，最容易发展形成Tuilp火焰。     

不同形状受限空间内油气爆燃特性的实验研究

基于实验对4个不同形状的20L容器内的油气爆燃过程进行了研究,探讨了不同形状受限空间内爆炸压力荷载的变化和火焰行为的区别。结果表明:管道（短管和长管）的压力时序曲线较容积式受限空间（球形容器和立方体容器）的压力时序曲线更复杂,并且出现压力振荡;随着初始浓度的增加,超压值和平均升压速率均先增大后减小,在浓度为1.74%时达到最大值,此时,超压从大到小依次为:长管>短管>立方体>球形容器,平均升压速率从大到小依次为:短管>立方体>长管>球形容器;在爆燃初期,立方体中火焰行为为半球状层流火焰→扁平层流火焰,火焰速度先增大后减小,最大速度为12.5 m/s,长管中火焰行为为半球状层流火焰→拉伸指状火焰,火焰速度一直增大,最大速度为40 m/s。     

Mechanisms of high-pressure hydrogen gas self-ignition in tubes

This paper describes a numerical and experimental investigation of hydrogen self-ignition occurring as a result of the formation of a shock wave. The shock wave is formed in front of high-pressure hydrogen gas propagating in a tube. The ignition of the hydrogen–air mixture occurs at the contact surface of the hydrogen and oxidant mixture and is due to the temperature increase produced as a result of the shock wave. The required condition for self-ignition is to maintain the high temperature in the mixture for a time long enough for inflammation to take place. The experimental technique employed was based on a high-pressure chamber pressurized with hydrogen, to the point of a burst disk operating to discharge pressurized hydrogen into a tube of cylindrical or rectangular cross section containing air. A physicochemical model involving gas-dynamic transport of a viscous gas, detailed kinetics of hydrogen oxidation and heat exchange in the laminar approach was used for calculations of high-pressure hydrogen self-ignition. The reservoir pressure range, when a shock wave is formed in the air that has sufficient intensity to produce self-ignition of the hydrogen–air mixture, is found. An analysis of governing physical phenomena based on the experimental and numerical results of the initial conditions (the hydrogen pressure inside the vessel, and the shape of the tube in which the hydrogen was discharged) and physical mechanisms that lead to combustion is presented.     

Effects of cross-wise obstacle position on methane–air deflagration characteristics

A vented chamber, with internal dimensions of 150 mm × 150 mm × 500 mm, is constructed in which the premixed methane–air deflagration flame, propagating away from the ignition source, interacts with obstacles along its path. Three obstacle configurations with different cross-wise positions are investigated. The cross-wise obstacle positions are found to have significant effects on deflagration characteristics, such as flame structure, flame front location, flame speed, and overpressure transients. The rate of flame acceleration, as the flame passes over the last obstacle, is the highest at the configuration with three centrally located obstacles, whereas the lowest is observed at the configuration with three obstacles mounted on one side of the chamber. Compared with the side configuration, the magnitude of overpressure generated increases by approximately 80% and 165% for the central and staggered configurations, respectively. Furthermore, flame propagation speeds and generated overpressures for both the central and staggered configurations are greater, which should to be avoided to reduce the risk associated with turbulent premixed deflagrations in practical processes.     

立体结构障碍物对甲烷预混火焰传播影响的研究

使用自行设计的火焰加速试验系统,研究了3种立体结构障碍物对管道内预混火焰传播速度和超压的影响。选用长方体、正四棱柱和圆柱,其阻塞比均为40%。结果表明,管道内障碍物对火焰传播的初始阶段起阻碍作用,当火焰越过障碍物后,障碍物加速火焰传播过程。有障碍物时管道内最大火焰传播速度和峰值超压比无障碍物时要大。随着点火距离的增大,管道中最大火焰传播速度和超压先变大后减小。当障碍物位于约6倍管径处时,对管道中火焰传播速度和超压影响最大。点火距离的改变对火焰传播速度的影响大于对管道内超压的影响。     

Experimental investigation on shock waves generated by pressurized gas release through a tube

An experimental investigation on the flow structures and the strength of shock waves generated by high-pressure gas release through a tube into air was conducted. The results demonstrated that a leading shock wave was generated in front of the compressed gas jet and the shock wave speed increased firstly, then decreased and finally kept constant with an increase of the propagation distance in the tube. The experimentally measured Mach numbers of shock waves were close to those calculated from the theory of ideal shock tube flow. After spouting out of the tube, the normal shock quickly developed into a hemispherical shape. The Mach disk was observed in the under-expanded jet. For high-pressure combustible gas release, the concept of theoretical critical pressure of ignition was introduced and several theoretical critical pressures of common gaseous fuels were obtained.     

Effect of flame propagation regime on pressure evolution of nano and micron PMMA dust explosions

Experiments using an open space dust explosion apparatus and a standard 20 L explosion apparatus on nano and micron polymethyl methacrylate dust explosions were conducted to reveal the differences in flame and pressure evolutions. Then the effect of combustion and flame propagation regimes on the explosion overpressure characteristics was discussed. The results showed that the flame propagation behavior, flame temperature distribution and ion current distribution all demonstrated the different flame structures for nano and micron dust explosions. The combustion and flame propagation of 100 nm and 30 μm PMMA dust clouds were mainly controlled by the heat transfer efficiency between the particles and external heat sources. Compared with the cluster diffusion dominant combustion of 30 μm dust flame, the premixed-gas dominant combustion of 100 nm dust flame determined a quicker pyrolysis and combustion reaction rate, a faster flame propagation velocity, a stronger combustion reaction intensity, a quicker heat release rate and a higher amount of released reaction heat, which resulted in an earlier pressure rise, a larger maximum overpressure and a higher explosion hazard class. The complex combustion and propagation regime of agglomerated particles strongly influenced the nano flame propagation and explosion pressure evolution characteristics, and limited the maximum overpressure.     

壳体缓释技术对带壳装药慢速烤燃反应烈度的缓解作用研究

为了研究2种典型壳体缓释技术对弹药慢速烤燃响应烈度的缓解作用,基于试验条件分别建立无缓释设计、侧壁加工应力槽和端盖加工泄压孔的带壳PBX装药慢速烤燃仿真模型,提出使用热分解反应动力学模型和燃烧反应模型模拟计算不同约束条件下带壳PBX装药从开始加热发生热分解反应到点火燃烧以及炸药与壳体耦合作用的烤燃过程的计算方法。研究结果表明：通过侧壁加工应力槽以及端盖加工泄压孔的缓释结构设计,可以有效地降低壳体破裂时炸药内部的压力及反应度,以达到缓解反应烈度的目的。     

管道燃气爆炸特性实验研究

管道是化工及油气储运系统的重要组成部分,却时常受燃烧爆炸事故的威胁,因此对管道中燃气燃烧爆炸特性与规律的研究就十分必要。以甲烷作为研究对象,采用压力传感器以及火焰传感器等对水平封闭管道内甲烷-空气预混燃烧爆炸进行了实验研究,通过大量实验来研究可燃气体爆炸压力与火焰及其传播变化规律。根据实验结果将超压以及气体燃烧的变化情况,对前驱冲击波与火焰面的相对时间及相对位置关系进行了分析。结果显示,管道中会产生前驱压力波,并超前火焰阵面甲烷气体在管道传播过程中,出现冲击波反压射、波叠加及反冲现象,压力的持续时间较火焰光信号持续时间长。所做的工作为油气受限空间中燃气燃烧爆炸特性与规律的进一步研究及工业防爆抑爆技术及工艺的实施、系统设计以及关键参数计算提供了理论依据。     

An Interpolation Technique for Rapid CFD Simulation of Turbulent Two-Phase Flows

The development of an interpolation technique for reducing the computational run time associated with the numerical simulation of highly turbulent two-phase flow such as that following the rupture of pressurized pipelines is described. The model is validated by comparison against the results of the pipeline rupture tests conducted by BP and Shell Oil on the Isle of Grain as well as intact end pressure data relating to the MCP-01 riser rupture recorded during the Piper Alpha tragedy. Apart from producing good agreement with the measured data, significant (ca. five-fold) reduction in the computation run time is obtained as a result of the introduction of the interpolation technique.