AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF A CYLINDRICAL VESSEL ENGULFED IN FIRE WITH A BURNING RELIEF VALVE FLARE PRESENT

Abstract

Tests were performed with a 0.6 m diameter, 1.8 m long cylindrical vessel exposed to an engulfing JP4 fueled pool fire (2.5 m diameter pool) and a propane fueled simulated relief valve flare which emanated from the tank top-centre. The tank was partially filled with water and was instrumented with thermocouples and heat flux transducers. Thermocouples were also externally situated to measure fire temperatures, The tests were conducted indoors and were therefore isolated from cross winds. Tests were conducted involving only the burning relief valve flare and with both the burning flare and pool fire. Data recorded during the tests included vessel wall temperatures, heat fluxes to the vessel, lading temperatures, and fire temperatures. Results from the tests indicate that in the absence of cross wind effects, the burning relief valve flare had no significant effect on the vessel when it was already engulfed in fire. The very sooty fire acted as a shield between the flare and the vessel. However, the high momentum flare resulted in a significant change in the geometry of the burning pool fire and this in turn could affect the heat flux to remote targets Results are presented which show the response of the vessel and its lading to the different fire conditions. Comparisons are made between the results obtained here and those obtained from previously conducted tests involving full and fifth scale rail tank-cars exposed to engulfing fires