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.     

Evaluating the potential for overpressures from the ignition of an LNG vapor cloud during offloading

Ignition of natural gas (composed primarily of methane) is generally not considered to pose explosion hazards when in unconfined and low- or medium-congested areas, as most of the areas within LNG regasification facilities can typically be classified. However, as the degrees of confinement and/or congestion increase, the potential exists for the ignition of a methane cloud to result in damaging overpressures (as demonstrated by the recurring residential explosions due to natural gas leaks). Therefore, it is prudent to examine a proposed facility’s design to identify areas where vapor cloud explosions (VCEs) may cause damage, particularly if the damage may extend off site.An area of potential interest for VCEs is the dock, while an LNG carrier is being offloaded: the vessel hull provides one degree of confinement and the shoreline may provide another; some degree of congestion is provided by the dock and associated equipment.In this paper, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software FLACS is used to evaluate the consequences of the ignition of a flammable vapor cloud from an LNG spill during the LNG carrier offloading process. The simulations will demonstrate different approaches that can be taken to evaluate a vapor cloud explosion scenario in a partially confined and partially congested geometry.     

Blast damage to storage tanks and steel clad buildings

The 2005 Buncefield vapour cloud explosion showed the huge cost associated with blast damage to commercial property surrounding a major explosion incident. In most cases there was serious disruption to business activity; in many cases the buildings had to be demolished or abandoned for long periods until extensive repairs were carried out.Another key feature of this and other recent vapour cloud explosions has been the damage done to storage tanks. The blasts almost invariably cause immediate top and bund fires in any tanks surrounded by the vapour – even if they contain relatively high flashpoint materials such as diesel.The first part of this paper describes the patterns of damage observed in buildings in the industrial estates around Buncefield. Methods for assessing the degree of external and internal damage are presented.The second part of the paper deals with failure modes and ignition of various types of liquid storage tank during vapour cloud explosions. Again, the Buncefield data provides excellent examples that illustrate the importance of tank design, fill level, location relative to the cloud, etc.     

云模型在城镇空气质量评价中的应用

空气质量评价是当前城镇环境评价的一个重要环节,这一过程存在着很强的模糊性和随机性。云模型把模糊性和随机性完全集成,构成定性与定量之间的映射。文章将云模型引入空气质量评价,结合空气质量评价标准,建立了云模型空气质量评价方法,并通过对比验证了该方法的有效性。     

A quantitative correlation of evaluating the flame speed for the BST method in vapor cloud explosions

In recent decades, vapor cloud explosions (VCEs) have occurred frequently and resulted in numerous personnel injuries and large property losses. As a main concern in the petrochemical industry, it is of great importance to assess the consequence of VCEs. Currently, the TNT equivalency method (TNT EM), the TNO multi-energy method (TNO MEM), and the Baker-Strehlow-Tang (BST) method are widely used to estimate the blast load from VCEs. The TNO MEM and BST method determine the blast load from blast curves based on the class number and the flame speed, respectively. To quantitatively evaluate the flame speed for the BST method, the experimental data is adopted to validate the confinement specific correlation (CSC) for the determination of the class number in the TNO MEM. As a bridge, a quantitative evaluation correlation (QEC) between CSC correlation and the flame speed is established and the blast wave shapes corresponding to different flame speeds are proposed. CFD software FLACS was used to verify the quantitative correlation with the numerical models of three geometrical scales. It is found that the calculated flame speeds by the QEC are in good agreement with the simulated ones. A petrochemical plant is selected as a realistic scenario to analyze the TNT EM, TNO MEM, BST method and FLACS simulations in terms of the positive-phase side-on overpressure and impulse at different distances. Compared with the flame speed table, the predicted overpressure from BST curves determined by the proposed QEC is closer to that from FLACS and more conservative. Furthermore, the predicted results of different methods are compared with each other. It is found that the estimated positive-phase side-on overpressure and impulse by the TNO MEM are the largest, and the estimated impulse by the TNT EM is the smallest. Moreover, the estimated overpressure and impulse are larger in the higher reactivity gas.     

基于融合权集对云的煤矿安全评价及应用*

为合理评价煤矿安全状态,针对煤矿安全影响因素多、指标体系关联度复杂等问题,提出融合权与集对云的安全评价模型。运用云理论特征值修饰集对分析联系度,兼顾系统的模糊性与不确定性,并引入融和后的各指标最优权重,得出系统综合云联系度;绘制等级云图判定系统安全状态及偏向趋势;结合煤矿实例进行验证。结果表明:案例煤矿所处安全状态为较安全,有偏向一般安全状态微势。分析结果与实际相符,且充分考虑煤矿安全评价体系的随机性,该模型可为煤矿安全评价提供理论指导。     

基于多维云模型的埋地并行油气管道风险评价研究*

为提高风险评价准确性以有效支撑管道完整性维护,保证油气管道在多管并行敷设下安全运行,提出1种基于博弈论-多维云模型的风险评价方法。首先,从并行间距、土壤压实度、土壤导热系数、介质流速、管径、埋深、应急响应时间、上下游截断阀间距等方面建立并行管道风险评价指标体系,为降低传统赋权方法的主观性,通过结合熵权法改进层次分析法（AHP）,从而确定主客观权重,再经博弈论组合赋权法综合计算指标权重;其次,运用多维云模型理论确定风险等级,通过修正各风险评分项的等级区间结合指标权重,计算出各级的综合确定度,并进行等级评判;最后,将该方法应用于工程实例。研究结果表明:所评价管段的指标风险处于中等风险水平,风险可接受,管段的整体风险评价结果良好,有利于并行管道安全管理;实例证明该评价方法具有较好的适用性。     

专家配伍系统在危险废物处置中的应用

介绍了根据危险废物处置中心废物管理的需求开发的专家配伍系统,该系统可对所有接收入厂废物的来源、运输单位、接收单位、废物的数量、危险成分、形态、入库日期、出库日期等信息进行全程收集,并建立数据库;具有专家配伍功能,可提供对废物焚烧处理的配伍方案,实行人机界面操作,操作简便;基于云计算技术的考虑,提供一体化客户端接口。     

基于云模型的电梯运行可靠性模糊综合评估

针对目前电梯可靠性评估中存在随机性和模糊性等不确定性的问题,提出了一种基于熵权法、云模型和模糊综合评价法的电梯运行可靠性评估模型。通过分析电梯各个子系统的主要特征量,建立了电梯运行可靠性评估指标体系,并运用熵权法确定各指标的权重。根据云模型实现定量指标与定性概念之间的转换,得到定量评估指标的等级隶属度。最后基于模糊综合评价法,对各指标信息进行自上而下地综合,得到整体的可靠性评估结果。实例表明了该模型的正确性与有效性,能够对电梯的状态检修提供参考。     

新疆干旱区气溶胶间接效应区域性分析

利用MODIS气溶胶和云资料以及实测的降水数据,可从宏观角度分析新疆区域气溶胶时空分布特征,研究气溶胶与云和降水之间的相互影响关系.结果表明：近十年来受区域暖-干趋势的转变影响,新疆地区气溶胶光学厚度空间分布呈现显著的区域性和季节性差异;南疆地区气溶胶光学厚度整体高于北疆地区,春、夏高,秋、冬低,整体呈现增加趋势,其中,北疆地区气溶胶光学厚度变化程度相对较为显著;受气候变化和颗粒粒径差异影响,新疆干旱区云光学厚度与气溶胶光学厚度呈负相关变化趋势,相关系数北疆地区高于南疆地区;云水路径受温度、湿度影响较大,对气溶胶光学厚度的变化的敏感程度北疆大于南疆,夏季最高,冬季最低;气溶胶光学厚度与云滴粒子有效半径关系复杂,受水汽影响较大,在云层含水量较低的情况下,云滴粒子有效半径与气溶胶光学厚度呈负相关,说明在干燥地区或季节,气溶胶的增加,抑制云滴粒子的增长;整体来看,新疆干旱区气溶胶的增加抑制了区域降水的形成.