Numerical simulation of water curtain application for ammonia release dispersion

Using water curtain system to forced mitigate ammonia vapor cloud has been proven to be an effective measure. Currently, no engineering guidelines for designing an effective water curtain system are available, due to lack of understanding of complex interactions between ammonia vapor cloud and water droplets, especially the understanding of ammonia absorption into water droplets. This paper presents numerical calculations to reproduce the continuous ammonia release dispersion with and without the mitigating influence of a downwind water curtain using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) software ANSYS Fluent 14.0. The turbulence models k–ɛ and RNG were used to simulate the ammonia cloud dispersion without downwind water curtain. The simulated results were compared with literature using the statistical performance indicators. The RNG model represents better agreement with the experimental data and the k–ɛ model generates a slightly lesser result. The RNG model coupled with Lagrangian discrete phase model (DPM) was used to simulate the dilution effectiveness of the water curtain system. The ammonia absorption was taken into account by means of user-defined functions (UDF). The simulated effectiveness of water curtains has good agreements with the experimental results. The effectiveness of water mitigation system with and without the ammonia absorption was compared. The results display that the effectiveness mainly depends on the strong air entrainment enhanced by water droplets movement and the ammonia absorption also enhances the effectiveness of water curtain mitigation system. The study indicates that the CFD code can be satisfactorily applied in design criteria for an effective mitigation system.     

Use of water spray curtain to disperse LNG vapor clouds

Effective safety measures to prevent and mitigate the consequences of an accidental release of flammable LNG are critical. Water spray curtain is currently recognized as an effective technique to control and mitigate various hazards in the industries. It has been used to absorb, dilute and disperse both toxic and flammable vapor cloud. It is also used as protection against heat radiation, in case of fighting vapor cloud fire. Water curtain has also been considered as one of the most economic and promising LNG vapor cloud control techniques. Water curtains are expected to enhance LNG vapor cloud dispersion mainly through mechanical effects, dilution, and thermal effects. The actual phenomena involved in LNG vapor and water curtain interaction were not clearly established from previous research. LNG spill experiments have been performed at the Brayton Fire Training Field at Texas A&M University (TAMU) to understand the effect of water curtain in controlling and dispersing LNG vapor cloud. This paper summarizes experimental methodology and presents data from two water curtain tests. The analysis of the test results are also presented to identify the effectiveness of these two types of water spray curtains in enhancing the LNG vapor cloud dispersion.     

Medium scale LNG-related experiments and CFD simulation of water curtain

This work is a continuation of the experimental research on LNG releases and their consequence mitigation methods, which has been carried on by the Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center (MKOPSC) at the Texas A&M University since 2004.A series of medium scale experiments to test the ability of the water curtains to hold up and disperse a vapor has been performed. Colored smoke has been used as an analog of the LNG vapor for easier tracking of the vapor path through the water curtain. The results and some analysis of the experimental data are presented. The CFD software FLACS (GexCon AS) was used to simulate the effects of the water curtains on vapor dispersion. The results of the simulations were compared with experimental data.     

LNG accident dynamic simulation: Application for hazardous consequence reduction

The evaluation of exclusion (hazard) zones around the LNG stations is essential for risk assessment in LNG industry. In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations have been conducted for the two potential hazards, LNG flammable vapor dispersion and LNG pool fire radiation, respectively, to evaluate the exclusion zones. The spatial and temporal distribution of hazard in complex spill scenario has been taken into account in the CFD model. Experimental data from Falcon and Montoir field tests have been used to validate the simulation results. With the valid CFD model, the mitigation of the vapor dispersion with spray water curtains and the pool fire with high expansion foam were investigated. The spray water curtains were studied as a shield to prevent LNG vapor dispersing, and two types of water spray curtain, flat and cone, were analyzed to show their performance for reduction and minimization of the hazard influencing distance and area. The high expansion foam firefighting process was studied with dynamic simulation of the foam action, and the characteristics of the foam action on the reduction of LNG vaporization rate, vapor cloud and flame size as well as the thermal radiation hazard were analyzed and discussed.     

A modified steady-state model for evaluation of ammonia concentrations behind a water curtain

Water curtain system has been proved an effective mitigation measurement for ammonia spill dispersion. Calculating of ammonia cloud concentration with water curtain was less studied. This paper presents a steady-state calculation model to calculate open and forced ammonia spill dispersion. The formula of ammonia absorption was built and integrated into the calculation model. The calculated downwind ammonia concentrations for open and forced spill dispersion were reproduced and compared with literature using a statistical method. In addition, the relationship between ammonia concentration in water droplet and the droplet diameter was studied. The results display that the formula of ammonia absorption is suitable for calculating mass transfer process between the ammonia cloud and the water curtain. The calculation model presents good performances for open and forced ammonia spill dispersion. This study indicates that the calculation model can be satisfactory in determining the impact of open and forced ammonia spill dispersion and the design of water curtain mitigation system.     

Key parametric analysis on designing an effective forced mitigation system for LNG spill emergency

Concerns over public safety and security of a potential liquefied natural gas (LNG) spill have promoted the need for continued improvement of safety measures for LNG facilities. The mitigation techniques have been recognized as one of the areas that require further investigation to determine the public safety impact of an LNG spill. Forced mitigation of LNG vapors using a water curtain system has been proven to be effective in reducing the vapor concentration by enhancing the dispersion. Currently, no engineering criteria for designing an effective water curtain system are available, mainly due to a lack of understanding of the complex droplet–vapor interaction. This work applies computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling to evaluate various key design parameters involved in the LNG forced mitigation using an upwards-oriented full-cone water spray. An LNG forced dispersion model based on a Eulerian–Lagrangian approach was applied to solve the physical interactions of the droplet–vapor system by taking into account the various effects of the droplets (discrete phase) on the air–vapor mixture (continuous phase). The effects of different droplet sizes, droplet temperatures, air entrainment rates, and installation configurations of water spray applications on LNG vapor behavior are investigated. Finally, the potential of applying CFD modeling in providing guidance for setting up the design criteria for an effective forced mitigation system as an integrated safety element for LNG facilities is discussed.     

Influence of active mitigation barriers on LNG dispersion

In recent years, particular interest has been direct to the issues of risk associated with the storage, transport and use of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) due to the increasing consideration that it is receiving for energy applications. Consequently, a series of experimental and modeling studies to analyze the behavior of LNG have been carried out to collect an archive of evaporation, dispersion and combustion information, and several mathematical models have been developed to represent LNG dispersion in realistic environments and to design mitigation barriers.This work uses Computational Fluid Dynamics codes to model the dispersion of a dense gas in the atmosphere after accidental release. In particular, it will study the dispersion of LNG due to accidental breakages of a pipeline and it will analyze how it is possible to mitigate the dispersing cloud through walls and curtains of water vapor and air, also providing a criterion for the design of such curtains.     

Gas screening effect caused by steam curtains

Steam curtain equipment is used to prevent leaking flammable gases from reaching ignition sources, such as furnaces. However, steam curtains are sometimes designed badly and are ineffective for preventing the leaking gas from spreading in the windward direction. The leaked gas may pass on either side of the stream curtain, it may pass between the nozzles, or it may pass on the upper side of the stream curtain. At present, data to design the best stream curtains are quite rare. It is necessary to obtain fundamental data on the entrainment of air by steam jet and on the inclination of the steam curtain caused by the strong wind. Therefore, a series of experiments to investigate the entrained air and the inclination of the steam curtain were performed, in addition to further theoretical considerations. Thus, fundamental data useful for the design of the steam curtain equipment have been obtained.     

Forced dispersion of LNG vapor with water curtain

Installation of effective safety measures to prevent and mitigate an accidental LNG release is critical. Water curtains are usually inexpensive, simple and reliable and currently have been recognized as an efficient technique to control and mitigate various hazards in the process industries including LNG industry. Actions of a water spray consist of a combination of several physical mechanisms. Detailed analysis of the complex mechanisms and the effects of water spray features to control and mitigate potential LNG vapor cloud are still unclear. This paper discusses the experimental research conducted by MKOPSC to study the physical phenomena involved and the effect of different types of water curtains parameters when applied for LNG vapor. The data from medium scale out-door experiments at the Brayton Fire Training School (BFTF), Texas, are summarized here to understand the relative importance of induced mechanical mixing effects, dilution with air, and heat transfer between water droplets and the LNG vapor. Field test results have determined that water curtains can reduce the concentration of the LNG vapor cloud. Due to the water curtain mechanisms of entrainment of air, dilution of vapor with entrained air, transfer of momentum and heat to the gas cloud, water curtain can disperse LNG vapor cloud to some extent.     

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.     

HGSYSTEM: a review, critique, and comparison with other models

HGSYSTEM is a package of computer models for modeling release and atmospheric dispersion of hazardous substances, which has capabilities that may not be found together elsewhere (e.g., hydrogen fluoride/air/water thermodynamics, aerosol release, release and dispersion of mixtures, multi-component evaporation, downward vertical jets, plume lift-off, deposition, and street-canyon). There are, however, some shortcomings in its spill models and in the transition from a spill to a dispersion model. The model's strong and weak points and limited comparisons with ALOHA and DEGADIS are discussed herein.     

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.     

消防水幕对有害气体阻隔效果的试验研究

为研究消防水幕对有害气体的阻隔效果,通过大型和小型2种尺度的试验,测定大型真实水幕对液化石油气的阻隔效果,并建立实验室小尺寸水幕模型,测定水幕对液化石油气、氯气、氨气、二氧化碳等气体的阻隔效果。此外,在小尺寸模型中,添加特定化学药剂测定水幕对氨气和氯气的阻隔效果。结果表明:消防水幕可以有效地阻隔和稀释有害气体;在水源中添加特定的化学药剂,可以有效地提高水幕阻隔和稀释的效果,阻隔效率达到90%以上。为消防部队今后处置化学事故提供切实可靠的数据支撑。     

Modelling accidental releases of dangerous gases into the lower troposphere from mobile sources

The article reports the results of different methods of modelling releases and dispersion of dangerous gases or vapours in cases of major accidents from road and rail transportation in urban zones. Transport accidents of dangerous substances are increasingly frequent and can cause serious injuries in densely inhabited areas or pollution of the environment. For quantitative risk assessment and mitigation planning, consequence modelling is necessary.

The modelling of dangerous substance dispersion by standard methods does not fully represent the behaviour of toxic or flammable clouds in obstructed areas such as street canyons. Therefore the predictions from common software packages as ALOHA, EFFECTS, TerEx should be augmented with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models or physical modelling in aerodynamic tunnels, and further studies are planned to do this.

The goal of this article is to present the results of the first approach of modelling using these standard methods and to demonstrate the importance of the next development stage in the area of transport accident modelling of releases and dispersions of dangerous substances in urban zones in cases of major accident or terrorist attacks.     

胶带运输巷水幕抑制火灾烟气效率影响因素实验研究

针对胶带运输巷火灾时期有毒烟气蔓延严重威胁工作人员的生命安全问题,提出利用水幕阻烟法抑制火灾烟气传播,搭建小尺寸实验台研究水幕对矿井巷道火灾烟气的阻挡效果。通过分析火灾烟气的运移规律,测量温度分布、非水溶性火灾烟气体积分数的变化,检验矿井运输巷内设置水幕阻烟的有效性。实验结果表明:水幕开启后,其下游空间烟气体积分数降低,能够有效阻止火灾烟气的扩散;水幕远离烟气源、增加水幕层数、水幕向上喷射、喷头压力增大均能够提高水幕的阻烟效果。实验为矿井巷道等地下建筑的防排烟设计提供了思路,对火灾的救援与人员的疏散具有重要意义。     

CFD-based simulation of dense gas dispersion in presence of obstacles

Quantification of spatial and temporal concentration profiles of vapor clouds resulting from accidental loss of containment of toxic and/or flammable substances is of great importance as correct prediction of spatial and temporal profiles can not only help in designing mitigation/prevention equipment such as gas detection alarms and shutdown procedures but also help decide on modifications that may help prevent any escalation of the event.The most commonly used models - SLAB (Ermak, 1990), HEGADAS (Colenbrander, 1980), DEGADIS (Spicer & Havens, 1989), HGSYSTEM (Witlox & McFarlane, 1994), PHAST (DNV, 2007), ALOHA (EPA & NOAA, 2007), SCIPUFF (Sykes, Parker, Henn, & Chowdhury, 2007), TRACE (SAFER Systems, 2009), etc. - for simulation of dense gas dispersion consider the dispersion over a flat featureless plain and are unable to consider the effect of presence of obstacles in the path of dispersing medium. In this context, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been recognized as a potent tool for realistic estimation of consequence of accidental loss of containment because of its ability to take into account the effect of complex terrain and obstacles present in the path of dispersing fluid.The key to a successful application of CFD in dispersion simulation lies in the accuracy with which the effect of turbulence generated due to the presence of obstacles is assessed. Hence a correct choice of the most appropriate turbulence model is crucial to a successful implementation of CFD in the modeling and simulation of dispersion of toxic and/or flammable substances.In this paper an attempt has been made to employ CFD in the assessment of heavy gas dispersion in presence of obstacles. For this purpose several turbulence models were studied for simulating the experiments conducted earlier by Health and Safety Executive, (HSE) U.K. at Thorney Island, USA (Lees, 2005). From the various experiments done at that time, the findings of Trial 26 have been used by us to see which turbulence model enables the best fit of the CFD simulation with the actual findings. It is found that the realizable k-? model was the most apt and enabled the closest prediction of the actual findings in terms of spatial and temporal concentration profiles. It was also able to capture the phenomenon of gravity slumping associated with dense gas dispersion.     

箱式水幕系统的流动分析及其在地下建筑中的应用

箱型水幕系统是用于地下建筑的消防系统之一，本介绍了水幕系统在地下建筑火灾中的应用，并采用计算流体力学（CFD）的方法，对箱体内部及水幕喷嘴处水流的流动状况进行了模拟计算，结果表明，箱体内存在复杂的旋涡结构，该旋涡结构对水幕喷嘴处的水流速度影响很大，喷嘴处流速的不均匀会导致水幕不均匀，从而影响水幕防火隔烟的效果。     

Numerical simulation of ammonia dispersion around a water curtain

Water curtains have been suggested as a way of limiting the spread of ammonia in the event of an accidental release. Several field experiments have already been performed to investigate the interaction between a water curtain and a cloud of ammonia, most recently by Bara and Dusserre (1997, J. Loss Prev. Ind., 10(3), 179–183). Those experiments have been modelled numerically, using the computational code Mercure. The calculated velocities and concentrations agree reasonably well with the measurements.     

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 novel method for evaluation of fire prevention by using water curtain with large droplets

Based on the ability to attenuate thermal radiation of droplets, water curtain plays an important role in fire prevention in the oil and gas terminal, traffic tunnel and other outdoor spaces. Radiation transfer characteristics of large droplets are determined by the Mie theory, and the Two-flux model is used to simplify the radiative transfer equation. Combined with an empirical formula to calculate the droplet diameter, a novel method is given for calculating the transmissivity of water curtain. Based on the method, influences of both the pressure and the width of water curtain on the transmissivity are fit for exponential relationship. Compared with experimental data, an ideal agreement is found between calculation results and experimental data for both single pipe water curtain and double pipe water curtain, only in the case of triplex pipe water curtain the deviation between calculation and experiment is more than 25%. A better calculation result can be obtained under the condition of the optical thin media. The method is effective in the scope of that the transmitted radiation is stronger than the environmental radiation.