Large scale experimental research of VCEs – A summary from one viewpoint

Abstract

Vapor cloud explosions (VCEs) are rare but have severe consequences, both in terms of harm and damage. The cause of pressure generation in these explosions was poorly understood five decades ago and methods for estimating the hazard at any location took no account of the factors that might influence the severity of a VCE. The situation two decades into the 21st century is vastly different; we understand the importance of repeated obstacles such as process pipework within a vapor cloud and have validated tools for modelling VCEs. These tools are routinely used in the design of facilities handling large quantities of flammable fluid. This considerable advance was achieved through model development progressing alongside experimental research, ranging from laboratory studies up to full scale experiments. Acknowledging that many organizations were involved in this research; this paper presents one thread through the research, concentrating on large scale experimental research spanning the five decades. This experimental research was both prompted and influenced by three disasters in the UK, Flixborough (1974), Piper Alpha (1988) and Buncefield (2005) but continues to be relevant given the expanding role of hydrogen within the energy transition to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.