Analysis of fuel storage tanks under internal deflagrations with different venting technologies: an experimental and numerical study

Abstract

This study investigates small-scale fuel storage tanks subjected to internal methane-air explosions, focusing on three depressurization technologies using roof ventilation to mitigate overpressure and damage. Tests with low methane-air concentrations were conducted to generate a pseudo-static internal pressure. This approach minimized scale effects and aligned internal pressure frequency with real-scale tank behavior during deflagrations. The first prototype features a tank with a frangible roof activated by localized brittle failure of stitch welds around the roof-to-shell junction. This confirms that stitched weld patterns ensure controlled brittle failure with activation pressure estimated by a simplified equation. The second technology employs a sequential ventilation strategy, starting with a small hinged panel followed by stitch weld failure, managing low to medium-intensity explosions with the small vent alone, and allowing rapid operational recovery. In severe explosions, the hinged door facilitates earlier activation of the frangible roof, reducing the initial pressure rise rate and controlling the roof opening direction. Lastly, the study explores tanks with commercial explosion vent panels as an alternative to traditional frangible roofs, offering a practical solution for retrofitting existing tanks. Each technology enhances safety in fuel storage facilities by effectively managing internal pressures during explosive events.