Probability and Consequence of Gasoline Ignition Under HVAC Transmission Lines

Abstract

This paper reports on an evaluation of the probability and consequences of electric field induced fuel ignition during refueling near HV transmission lines. Probability of fuel ignition is evaluated using a Monte Carlo simulation and results are applied to a sample problem to demonstrate event likelihood. A series of experiments using a specially modified vehicle provides the answer to what happens if ignition occurs. For occurrence on a typical 500 kV ROW the possibility of electric field induced fuel ignition is extremely unlikely to occur as shown in Table I. The experiments indicate that even if electric field induced sparks cause fuel ignition, this is not a catastrophic event and does not pose a safety hazard for practical situations. Figure 1 shows the typical flame from an ignited vehicle gasoline tank. Usually the flame extinguishes itself or the flame can be snuffed out with a handkerchief. If enough gasoline spilled and burned for something like ten minutes or more, then the tank could have become warm enough to become concerned about the very harzardous situation of boiling gasoline.