• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.5 no.4 s.16
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• pp.1-7
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• 2001

This paper presents a 'consequence analysis' for vapor cloud explosions caused by heavy gas leakages from commercially used storage tanks at petrochemical plants. Particularly, this paper emphasizes on evaluating the results of various vapor cloud explosion accidents from Butane storage tanks. Also this paper analyses the impact of variables on the accidents in order to acquire the optimum conditions for variables. $SuperChems^{TM}$ Professional Edition was applied to analyse the impact (If atmospheric and other variables in the situation where vapor cloud continuously disperses from the ground level. Under the assumption that practical operating conditions are selected as a standard condition, and Butane leaks from the storage tank for 15 minutes, the results show that the maximum distance of LFL (Lower Flammable Limit) was 52 meters and overpressure by the vapor cloud explosion was 1 psi at 128.2 meters. It is observed that the impact of the variables on accidental Butane storage tank leakage mainly varied upon atmospheric stability, wind velocity, pipe line size, visible length, etc., and changes in the simulation result occurred as the variables varied. The maximum distance of the LFL (Lower Flammable Limit) increased as the visible length became shorter, the size of the leak became larger, the wind velocity was decreased, and the climatic conditions became more stable. Thus, by analysing the variables that influence the simulation results of explosions of Butane storage tanks containing heavy gases, I am presenting the most appropriate method for 'consequence analysis' and the selection of standards for suitable values of variables, to obtain the most optimal conditions for the best results.

• Fire Science and Engineering
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2017

This study examined the risk of accidents when handling hazardous materials in hazardous materials storage facilities without safety facilities. In the case of illegal dangerous cargo containers, the burning rate is very fast in the case of fire, which leads to explosions, that are damaging and difficult to control. In addition, accidents that occur in flammable liquid hazardous materials are caused mostly by accidents that occur in the space due to leakage. Therefore, the variables that affect these accidents were derived and the influence of these variables was investigated. Numerical and computational fluid dynamics programs were used to obtain the following final results. First, when a flammable liquid leaks into a specific space, it is influenced by temperature and relative humidity until a certain concentration (lower limit of combustion) is reached. In the case of temperature, it was found that the reaching time was shorter than the flash point In addition, the effect of variables on pool fire accidents of leakage tanks is somewhat different, but the variables that have the largest influence are the wind speed. Therefore, it is expected that the results of this study will be used as basic data for similar numerical analysis and it will provide useful numerical information about the accidental leakage of hazardous materials under various research conditions.

• Explosives and Blasting
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.79-84
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• 2004

It is well accepted that modem emulsion explosives are intrinsically much less sensitive than traditional products such as dynamites or black powder. However, they have still been involved in a significant number of accidental explosions. In October 1975, Canadian Research, Limited's, Energetic Research Laboratory in Quebec exploded. Although explanations for the incident varied, one logical explanation was that the pump used in transporting the emulsion dead headed, thereby turning mechanical work in to frictional heating under a zero flow rate. There is a minimum pressure required for combustion(MBP) to propagate in emulsion explosives. A stable deflagration may lead to a deflagration-to-detonation transition(DDT) in emulsion explosives. Tests were also performed on sensitized sampled consisting of 6 to 21% waters as well as 1 to 11% aluminium powder. It was founded the emulsion explosives consisting of 6% waters had the lowest minimum homing pressure(MBP) of 3 bar, and the 21% waters were unable to achieve sustained homing at pressures as high as 100 bar. The aluminium contained explosives tested here displayed a MBP higher than that of without emulsion. It appears that this test may offer a firm ground for the classification of emulsion explosives in view of the regulating the hazards associated with the various process used for their manufacturing and transport.