Construction of Expert System for Hazard Assessment of Unconfined Vapor Cloud Explosion

증기운 폭발의 위험성 평가를 위한 전문가 시스템의 구축

To evaluate readily the effect of unconfined vapor cloud explosion(UVCE) having high possibility of accident and risk in chemical industries, the expert system of UVCE was developed and its applicability on a real accident was analyzed. We found that the hazard of UVCE could be well evaluated from the TNT equivalency model and the empirical loss data produced by overpressure for chemical facilities. By using the developed expert system, the size of vapor cloud, the quantity of vaporization, the released energy, the overpressure range from explosion point, and the impact damage of each installation could be estimated respectively. Also, probable maximum loss and catastrophic loss potential for real accident( cyclohexane release in Flixborough Nypro company) were estimated and compared with damages of the accident. As a result, the developed expert system could be well applicable to real accident.