A protocol for the evaluation of LNG vapour dispersion models

The international transport, storage and utilisation of LNG is growing rapidly. Whilst the LNG industry has an excellent safety record, the possibility of an accidental release cannot be discounted. Internationally-accepted standards, such as the 59A Standard of the US National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), provide direction on the assessment of LNG spill hazards and hazard range criteria which must be met. Modelling of the atmospheric dispersion of LNG vapour from accidental spills is one of the critical steps in such hazard analyses. This paper describes a comprehensive evaluation protocol devised for the 59A Standard, specifically for the assessment of LNG vapour dispersion models. The evaluation protocol is based on methodologies developed in previous European Union studies, which have been extended, significantly adapted and tailored to the specific requirements of the evaluation of models for the dispersion of LNG vapour. The protocol comprises scientific evaluation of the numerical and physical basis of models for the dispersion of LNG vapour, model verification, and validation; resulting in a comprehensive model evaluation report which includes qualitative and quantitative criteria for model acceptance. A supporting suite of validation data, and guidance on the use of this data, has also been produced. The NFPA 59A (2009) standard states that LNG vapour dispersion models are acceptable for use if they have been evaluated in accordance with this protocol.     

Reliability and applicability of empirical equations in predicting the reduced explosion pressure of vented gas explosions

Explosions caused by the rapid release of energy from the expansion of burnt gases, along with an associated pressure rise, in an enclosure can be mitigated by venting. Many empirical equations have been derived based on vented gas deflagration phenomena. In the present paper, four empirical equations for gas venting were reviewed, i.e., NFPA 68, the European Standard (EN 14994), Molkov et al. and Bradley and Mitcheson in order to assess their reliability and applicability for predicting the reduced explosion pressure (P_red) of propane-air, methane-air and hydrogen-air mixtures at three different chamber-scale volumes. The results showed that the NFPA 68 correlation is the most appropriate method for predicting P_red, while Bradley and Mitcheson gave values closer to those of experimental data for propane-air mixtures in medium and larger chambers, respectively. However, none of the predicted correlations was able to provide a reasonable prediction of P_red in a hydrogen-air explosion. In addition, these predicted correlations showed greater discrepancies in P_red values in the presence of vent area, ignition position and obstacles.     

Inclusion of pressure hazards into NFPA 704 instability rating system

The lack of awareness in identifying potential hazardous reactions is commonly cited as a cause of accidents. One major problem is the lack of consensus to assign appropriate reactivity hazards ratings. NFPA 704 instability rating system is widely used throughout the chemical industry. However, this system does not take into account pressure hazards. Inclusion of pressure hazards into the NFPA 704 instability rating will provide a more comprehensive rating system, which will characterize hazards that may arise not only from exothermic reactions, but also from endothermic decompositions with gas evolution. In this work we present a proposed method for developing a simple methodology to include pressure and pressure rates into the assignment of instability ratings. The current NFPA 704 instability rating number for the systems studied does not show a trend between the pressures and pressure rates generated with the assigned rating. Therefore, arbitrary threshold values were chosen to rank the substances according to the pressure and pressure rate generated. Results obtained from a variety of systems with endothermic decompositions show that their pressure and pressure rates have magnitudes comparable to systems that decompose exothermically. So far, this method has been applied only to a limited set of data. However, assignment of arbitrary values for normalized maximum pressures generated and pressure rates, taking as reference the values obtained for the thermal decomposition of cumene hydroperoxide and di-terbutyl peroxide appears to give reasonable limits for the rating chemicals based on their relative pressure hazards.     

Effects of a Duct on the Venting of Explosions—Critical Review

The present paper deals with a study of the effect of ducting on explosions in vented enclosures. The presence of a duct was shown to increase the pressure reached in vented vessels. At the moment it is still not clear what are the main phenomena occurring in ducted-venting systems and no reliable correlations are available for the sizing of ducted vented systems. The only correlation available for gas explosions was developed by Bartknecht (1993) and assumed as a guideline in NFPA 68 (2002) while for dust explosions more correlations are available as reported in VDI 3673 (2002), in NFPA 68 (2002) and in Tamanini and Fisher (2003).This paper presents a critical review of available experimental and theoretical results on gas explosions in vessels vented through a duct that was carried out mainly to understand the role of the phenomena involved. Furthermore, the available correlations for ducted-venting of gaseous explosions of NFPA 68 (2002) and for dust explosions (Tamanini and Fisher, 2003; VDI 3673,2002; NFPA 68,2002) were applied to the experimental results available in the literature, to test their validity and applicability.     

Towards hydrogen safety engineering for reacting and non-reacting hydrogen releases

Hydrogen Safety Engineering (HSE) is the application of scientific and engineering principles to the protection of life, property and environment from adverse effects of incidents/accidents involving hydrogen. Validated engineering tools for calculation of flammable envelope size and hydrogen jet flame length are of importance for calculation of safety distances. This paper compares the University of Ulster (UU) methodology for calculation of safety distances based on the similarity law for concentration decay in non-reacting jet, and the approach given in the standard NFPA 55 (NFPA 55, 2010). It is shown that NFPA 55 can overestimate an axial distance to the lower flammability limit up to 160%. Two correlations for hydrogen jet flame length are compared. One approach (Sandia National Laboratories) correlates the dimensionless flame length with the flame Froude number, and another (UU) associates the flame length with a new similarity group, which is a product of mass flow rate and nozzle diameter. Both approaches are compared against 123 experimental data on expanded and underexpanded jet flames. In the typical for hydrogen applications momentum-controlled regime the first approach has scattering of experimental data 50% while the second approach gives only 20% and thus is preferable for the use by hydrogen safety engineers.     

Unified correlations for vent sizing of enclosures at atmospheric and elevated pressures

Innovative vent sizing technology is presented for explosion safety design of equipment at atmospheric and elevated initial pressures. Unified correlations for vent sizing are suggested. They are modifications of previously reported correlations verified thoroughly for experimental data on vented gaseous deflagrations under different conditions but only at initial atmospheric pressure. Suggested correlations are based on experimental data on vented deflagrations of quiescent and turbulent propane–air mixtures at initial pressures up to 0.7 MPa. Typical values of turbulence factor and deflagration–outflow interaction number are obtained for experimental vented deflagrations at initial pressures higher than atmospheric.

“Blind” examination of new vent sizing technology on another set of experiments with methane–air and propane–air mixtures has shown that predictions by suggested vent sizing technology are better than by the NFPA 68 guide for “Venting of Deflagrations”.

In the development of recently reported results for initial atmospheric pressure it has been concluded that the innovative vent sizing technology is more reliable compared to the NFPA 68 guide at elevated initial pressures as well. Moreover it is crucial that the calculation procedure remains the same for arbitrary deflagration conditions.     

新型火工药剂的几种技术

介绍了火工药剂的概念及其发展趋势,重点阐述了新型火工药剂的几种技术,分别对国内外火工药剂的情况进行了分析,随着火工药剂在工业、国防等领域中的发展,各个领域对火工药剂技术提出了新要求.     

Drying of combustible powders – Risk & mitigation

This paper provides an overview of the various processes for drying combustible powders with particular emphasis on spray, fluid bed and ring dryers. Clients of FM Global, an industrial property insurance company, have experienced numerous explosion and fire losses in dryers and the primary causes and equipment involved in recent events are reviewed. Several case examples are provided. Key operating parameters that can impact the hazard created by processing combustible dusts are highlighted. For each dryer type the key controls, alarms and interlocks are addressed as well as the protection and mitigation features that can be installed. This will emphasize FM Global loss prevention guidelines but will also point out differences with NFPA and EU codes.     

Risk-based siting considerations for LNG terminals – Comparative perspectives of United States & Europe

Siting regulations and industrial standards for liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals are evolving along different paths within Europe and the United States (U.S.). The 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 190 continues to delineate the United States process to adopt and revise safety regulations pertaining to LNG terminals and peak shaving plant sitting.¹ Embodied in these regulations are rich legal and regulatory traditions that are unique to the U.S. perspective. For example, the public is encouraged to petition existing regulations and to comment on regulatory proposals. Litigation within the U.S. court system is another means by which industry and the public may seek regulatory change. This approach promotes public involvement in governmental oversight and creates a distinctive obligation and accountability for U.S. regulatory agencies, which uniquely shape technical, safety, risk mitigation, and societal risk perspectives for siting LNG terminals.European traditions shape siting regulations for LNG terminals as well. Though American siting guidance includes references to the National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 59A and 49 CFR, Part 193, European developers also apply the guidance within EN 1473 – a risk-based case-by-case analysis directive.^{2, 3 and 4} The NFPA 59A standard is applied for a basis to examine property line spacing as they pertain or may relate to off-site hazard impacts. The European approach applies the assessment and suitability of code compliance and the application of accepted engineering practices. In addition the approach incorporates the application of empirical risk assessments and computational modeling to reach an understanding of risk exposures. European policies set limits on the population’s cumulative exposure to facility risks and require LNG facility developers not to exceed established risk criteria.This paper describes how the U.S. and Europe site LNG terminals, identifies key differences in their risk-based approaches, and explains why these differences exist. This discussion also examines historical precedents that have influenced regulations and approval processes for siting LNG terminals within each continent.     

Evaluating the overall efficiency of a flameless venting device for dust explosions

Results from cornstarch explosion tests using a flameless venting device (mounted over a burst disc) on an 8 m³ vessel are presented and used to determine the overall efficiency of the device, which is defined as the ratio between its effective vent area and the nominal vent area. Because these devices are comprised of an arrestor element mounted over an impulsively-actuated venting device (such as a burst disc), the functional form of the overall efficiency is taken as the product of the area efficiency (i.e., the ratio between the effective vent area of the entire assembly to that of the venting device without the arrestor element) and the burst efficiency (i.e., the ratio of the effective vent area of the venting device without the arrestor element to the nominal vent area). The effective vent areas are calculated from measured overpressures using three different empirical correlations (FM Global 2001, NFPA 2007, and VDI 2002). Furthermore, due to significant variations in the effective reactivity from test to test, a correction factor proportional to the initial flame speed is applied when determining the area efficiency. In general, it was found that the FM Global and NFPA methodologies yield consistent results with less scatter than VDI 3673.     

Computational fluid dynamics analysis of liquefied natural gas dispersion for risk assessment strategies

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations have been conducted for dense gas dispersion of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The simulations have taken into account the effects of gravity, time-dependent downwind and crosswind dispersion, and terrain. Experimental data from the Burro series field tests, and results from integral model (DEGADIS) have been used to assess the validity of simulation results, which were found to compare better with experimental data than the commonly used integral model DEGADIS. The average relative error in maximum downwind gas concentration between CFD predictions and experimental data was 19.62%.The validated CFD model was then used to perform risk assessment for most-likely-spill scenario at LNG stations as described in the standard of NFPA 59A (2009) “Standard for the Production, Storage and Handling of Liquefied Natural Gas”. Simulations were conducted to calculate the gas dispersion behaviour in the presence of obstacles (dikes walls). Interestingly for spill at a higher elevation, e.g., tank top, the effect of impounding dikes on the affected area was minimal. However, the impoundment zone did affect the wind velocity field in general, and generated a swirl inside it, which then played an important function in confining the dispersion cloud inside the dike. For most cases, almost 75% of the dispersed vapour was retained inside the impoundment zone. The finding and analysis presented here will provide an important tool for designing LNG plant layout and site selection.     

火灾过程中羽流模型及其评价

总结了Zukoski(1)、Zukoski(2 )、NFPA、McCaffre和Thomas -Hinkley几种常见的羽流模型和适用条件 ,运用算例对几种常见羽流模型的羽流质量流量、保持一定冷空气高度条件下的热烟气层温度和排烟体积流量进行了对比分析。结果表明 ,在冷空气层高度 2m～ 3m时 ,各羽流模型的计算结果较为接近 ;在冷空气层高度较大时 ,小面积火源条件下Zukoski(1)、Zukoski(2 )、NFPA三个模型的计算结果较为接近 ,McCaffre模型计算的羽流质量流量最大 ,热烟气层温度最低 ,排烟体积流量最大 ;大面积火源条件下 ,McCaffre模型和Thomas -Hinkley模型相比 ,羽流质量流量大 ,热烟气层温度最低 ,排烟体积流量大。在相同房间高度和地板面积条件下 ,羽流质量流量大则热烟气的充填时间短     

常用高分子装饰材料的燃烧特性

利用先进的锥型量热计研究了五种常用的高分子装饰材料在暴露于不同辐射热通量条件下的燃烧性能,以及用氧指数测定仪测量了这些材料的氧指数,并将这两种方法的实验结果进行了对比。     

The conspicuity of first-responder safety garments

Introduction

This study compared the conspicuity of three types of first-responder safety garments (NFPA 1971-2007 turnout gear coats, and ANSI/ISEA 107 and 207 safety vests).

Method

Participants drove instrumented vehicles on a closed track during both daytime and nighttime, indicating when they could first detect pedestrians in a simulated emergency response scene. Pedestrians wore one of the safety garments and stood on either side of the emergency scene, facing or perpendicular to oncoming traffic, and either stationary or walking in place.

Results

All three garment standards provided equal levels of conspicuity, in that the distances at which the pedestrians were detected were equivalent. Time of day was a significant factor, with longer mean detection distances being observed in daytime. Pedestrian orientation was significant, with mean detection distances being longest when facing traffic. Pedestrian motion did not result in significant differences in detection distance.

Discussion

The results suggest that all three garment types studied are equivalent in making first responders conspicuous as pedestrians when working an emergency response scene in close proximity to traffic.

Impact on Industry

Whether an NFPA or ANSI/ISEA compliant is worn, first responders are equally likely to be detected by passing motorists, and as such these garments should be considered to be equivalent.     

建筑材料及制品燃烧性能试验规范概述

建筑材料和制品燃烧性试验规范对保证建筑物内人的生命安全和财产安全是极为重要的。笔者对美国、加拿大、欧盟、日本以及中国的建筑材料燃烧性能试验规范进行分析、比较和综述。通过研究认为美国和加拿大对建筑材料燃烧性能的要求和试验方法基本相似,他们主要针对材料的燃烧性、火焰传播进行检测;欧盟于2001年颁布了新的燃烧性分级体系,该分级体系包括专门针对铺地材料部分和针对其他所有建筑构件材料和产品部门;日本采用锥形量热计法(ISO5660)将内装饰材料分为不燃、准不燃和阻燃材料3个等级;我国对建筑材料的试验方法包括不燃性试验方法、墙和天花板内装饰材料的三级分级体系和铺地材料两级分级体系。     

易燃易爆危险品道路运输火灾事故应急区域的确定方法

从消防监管的角度给出了道路运输易燃易爆危险品的火灾危险性分级标准,分析了典型泄漏事故后果场景和常见的泄漏规模类型.介绍了美国消防协会NFPA471、应急响应手册ERG2008危险品运输事故初期区域的确定方法,并提出了基于影响半径的危险品道路运输火灾事故现场应急区域和人员疏散范围的确定方法.提出对于易燃易爆危险品道路运输事故应急区域的确定,在初期可优先采用ERG 2008提供的初期隔离距离与防护距离进行先期处置,然后根据运输危险品的类型、运输量和影响区人员总数进行定量评估分析,以确定适当的应急区域范围.依据运输道路场所环境和事故场景特点,快速而合理的确定事故应急隔离区和疏散区,可较科学地应对突发性灾难事故,采取快速应急响应措施,优化消防警力配备.该文研究提出的方法和研究结论,可为危险品道路运输消防应急力量优化调度,现场指挥员采取有效措施开展抢险救援行动提供技术支持,有利于现场事故应急处置和人员快速安全疏散.     

关于地铁列车火灾人员疏散问题的几点讨论

针对地铁车站火灾人员疏散时间计算方法的问题,比较研究国内现行《地铁设计规范》(GB50157—2003)和美国专门针对有轨交通系统的NFPA130标准的异同,其结果说明:国内设计规范关于人员疏散时间的计算方法存在不足;对区间隧道内列车着火的情况进行分析讨论,指出对列车在区间隧道内着火,且还能继续运行的情况,着火列车的运行速度对火势的发展以及人员疏散时间的影响是不可忽视的。