Abstract
This study conducts an impact assessment of flammable gas dispersion and fire hazards from LNG tank leak. The release source model is used to estimate LNG release rate. A CFD (computational fluid dynamics) based 3D model is established to simulate dispersion behavior of flammable gas from the phase transformation of LNG. Subsequently, a FDS (fire dynamics) based model is built to simulate the pool fire due to LNG tank leak. The impact of gas dispersion and fire on personnel and assets is assessed based on simulation results, which can provide a theoretical basis and method support for major accident assessment of tank leakage in large LNG receiving station. The results show that the dispersion of flammable gas from LNG tank leak has an obvious stage characteristic. The flammable gas reached a steady state around 300 s, and the corresponding coverage area is about 16250 m2. The pool fire simulations indicate that the steady flame is formed at 20 s. The flames flow along the wind, and the maximum temperature of the fire reaches 670°C, and the maximum thermal radiation reaches 624 kW/m2. According to the fire damage criteria, the pool fire from LNG tank leak may pose a serious threat on the safety of adjacent assets and personnel.
Highlights
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is characteristic by easy to leak and volatile diffusion, flammability, and explosion
Hirst and Eyre [2] studied the combustion of large gas clouds evolved from LNG and refrigerated liquid propane spills on the sea through Maplin Sands series of experiments
Where QL is the leakage mass flow, kg/s; A is the hole area, m2; Cd is the liquid leakage coefficient; ρ1 is the liquid density in the storage tank, kg/m3; h is the height of the leakage location from the fluid level in the tank, m; Pt is the pressure in the storage tank, Pa; and P0 is the pressure of the external environment, Pa
Summary
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is characteristic by easy to leak and volatile diffusion, flammability, and explosion. E dispersion law of combustible gas and the consequences of fire and explosion accidents have become the critical of current research to ensure safety operation of LNG storage tank. Researches on dispersion of flammable gas include field experiments, wind tunnel tests, and numerical simulation, which was carried out earlier in foreign countries. Koopman et al [1] obtained numerous data on the dispersion distance based on Burro series of large-scale LNG leakage and dispersion experiments. Based on wind tunnel tests, the impact on LNG release dispersion, e.g., wind speed, vortex induction, overflow rate, and leakage amount, and dangerous range can be obtained [4, 5]
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