The Consequence Analysis for Unconfined Vapor Cloud Explosion Accident by the Continuous Release of Butane Vapor in the Debutanizing Process of Naphtha Cracking Plant

나프타분해플랜트의 부탄추출공정에서 부탄증기의 연속누출에 의한 증기운 폭발사고의 영향평가

The consequence analysis for the unconfined vapor cloud explosion(UVCE) accident by the continuous release of butane vapor was performed and effects of process parameters on consequences were analyzed in standard conditions. For the case of continuous release(87.8 kg/s) of butane vapor at 8 m elevated height in the debutanizing process of tile naphtha cracking plant operating at 877 kPa ＆ 346.75 K, we found that combustion ranges of dispersed vapor estimated by HMP model were 11.2~120.2 m and overpressures estimated by TNT equivalency model at 200 m were about 37.35~55.1 kPa. Also, overpressures estimated by Model UVCE I based on advective travel time to $X_{LFL}$ were smaller than those estimated by Model UVCE IIbased on real travel time between $X_{UFL}$ and $X_{LFL}$. At the same time, damage intensities at 200 m and effect ranges by overpressure could be predicted. Furthermore, simulation results showed that effects of operating pressures on consequences were larger than those of operating temperatures and results of accidents were increased with increasing operating pressures. At this time, sensitivities of overpressures for UVCE accident by the continuous release were about 5 kPa/atm.