Chemical Fire Research Articles

A new experimental method to study the flame inhibition performance of low concentration halogenated gas

The minimum fire extinguishing concentration is a key index for the development of next generation chemical clean fire extinguishing gases, which is usually got by the cup-burner. The fire suppression performance of low concentration of chemical gas is hard to be understood by the available methods. In this work, the fundamental acknowledgement of steady flame surface attacking mechanism by halon functional group is newly discussed by conducting a series of bench scale tests with a cylindrical channel under a varied fluorinated gases. The characteristics of flame propagation under differentiated air atmosphere environmental conditions is obtained. The influence of fluorine-containing gas flow rate on flame propagation speed is clarified. A dimensionless relationship including atomic radius, bond length, polarization degree, molar mass and molar volume are proposed to describe the influence of low concentration of fluorine-containing gas on flame propagation speed. It provides an insight for the understanding of the flame inhibition performance of low concentration halogenated gas.

Modeling the fire scenario in the diesel storage tank of the Iran’s specialized hospital using PHAST software

Background and Objective: Diesel storage tanks play a crucial role in hospitals and are constantly at risk of chemical release, explosion, and fire. The purpose of this study was to examine the consequences of a diesel tank leak in one of the Iran’s specialized hospitals. Materials and methods: This study utilized an applied research approach with scenario modeling using PHAST software version 8.4. A discharge rate of 1000 L/min was employed for the fixed-duration release scenario. The necessary information for the software, including tank and meteorological data, was collected. The mortality rate and danger radius were calculated and analyzed for two tank volumes of 23600 and 12000 m3 in conditions of Sabzevar region in winter and 1.5 F of the software. Results: According to the tank type and substance release into the environment, the software showed a pool fire. The most hazardous scenario was determined to be leakage from the 23600 m3 tank in Sabzevar's weather conditions (26 0C, wind speed 15 m/s in winter). The maximum and minimum radiation heat from the fire were calculated at 44.7 and 94.2 meters, respectively. The mortality rates for exposure levels of 37.5 kw/m2, 12.5 kw/m2, and 4 kw/m2 were found to be 98.7%, 6.5%, and approximately zero, respectively. Conclusion: Fire safety in hospitals is a critical issue that requires a thorough examination of the factors that can lead to ignition and explosion.

다중 센서 데이터를 활용한 오토인코더 기반 화재감지 모델

Large-scale fires and their consequential damages are becoming increasingly common, but confidence in fire detection systems is waning. Recently, widely-used chemical fire detectors frequently generate lots of false alarms, while video-based deep learning fire detection is hampered by its time-consuming and expensive nature. To tackle these issues, this study proposes a fire detection model utilizing an autoencoder approach. The objective is to minimize false alarms while achieving swift and precise fire detection. The proposed model, employing an autoencoder methodology, can exclusively learn from normal data without the need for fire-related data, thus enhancing its adaptability to diverse environments. By amalgamating data from five distinct sensors, it facilitates rapid and accurate fire detection. Through experiments with various hyperparameter combinations, the proposed model demonstrated that out of 14 scenarios, only one encountered false alarm issues. Experimental results underscore its potential to curtail fire-related losses and bolster the reliability of fire detection systems.

Optimized Machine Learning Model for Fire Consequence Prediction

This article focuses on using machine learning to predict the distance at which a chemical storage tank fire reaches a specified thermal radiation intensity. DNV’s Process Hazard Analysis Software Tool (PHAST) is used to simulate different scenarios of tank leakage and to establish a database of tank accidents. Backpropagation (BP) neural networks, random forest models, and the optimized random forest model K-R are used for model training and consequence prediction. The regression performance of the models is evaluated using the mean squared error (MSE) and R2. The results indicate that the K-R regression prediction model outperforms the other two machine learning algorithms, accurately predicting the distance at which the thermal radiation intensity is reached after a tank fire. Compared with the simulation results, the model demonstrates higher accuracy in predicting the distance of tank fire consequences, proving the effectiveness of machine learning algorithms in predicting the range of consequences of tank storage area fire events.

Polyester Reçine Üretim Tesisinde Fonksiyonel Rezonans Analiz Yöntemi (FRAM) ile Risk Analizi

There are various hazards and risks in the workflow processes in polyester resin production facilities. The most important of these dangers and risks are; It is related to chemical processes, fire and explosion, equipment malfunctions and storage processes of the products obtained. This study aims to analyze the potential hazards and risks that may be encountered in a polyester resin production facility in the Marmara region, from the arrival of the raw material to the facility, to its processing and storage of the resulting products, with the Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM) and to identify the stages that prevent the processes from being optimized. It has been prepared to make suggestions both for improving workflow processes and reducing risks in the process.

Environmental and private property contamination following the Norfolk Southern chemical spill and chemical fires in Ohio

In February 2023, a train derailment in Ohio caused a chemical spill and fires releasing contaminants into the air, soil, waterways, and buildings.

인명, 환경, 재산피해를 고려한 고위험 화학사고의 원인과 동향 분석

This study analyzed the causes and trends of chemical accidents that occurred in Korea from 2014 to 2022. In particular, by comprehensively considering human casualties, environmental damage, and property damage, the relative risks and accident trends of each type of accident were identified. Utilizing the relative risk, the most dangerous accident type for each type of accident were derived. And, LDA topic modeling and network analysis were used to analyze accident trends for fire accidents identified as the most dangerous accident types. Results showed that the most dangerous accident type in terms of human casualties was explosion accidents, and the type of accident with a large impact on the environment and property was analyzed as fire accidents. As a result of LDA topic modeling, chemical fire accidents were broadly classified into four major topics. It is possible to analyze the complex causes and patterns of chemical accidents through methods using LDA topic modeling and network analysis, and it is possible to effectively establish prevention and response strategies for chemical accidents through the methods used.

An AoTI-Driven Joint Sampling Frequency and Access Selection Optimization for Industrial Wireless Sensor Networks

The freshness of system information has attracted extensive attention and has become one of the most critical Quality of Service (QoS) indicators in industrial wireless sensor networks (IWSNs). For practical IWSNs composed of numerous components, the system freshness for a specific task is usually related to multiple and multitype sensing data. For example, in a chemical plant fire alarm system, the system controller (SC) cannot determine the fire notification until analyzing multiple types of ambient information, such as temperature, flame, carbon dioxide, and smoke. However, most existing research on freshness metrics, such as Age of Information (AoI) or Age of Processing (AoP), only considers a single-package setting with a single type of data. Therefore, to measure the system freshness accurately in IWSNs, we propose the Age of Task-oriented Information (AoTI) for industrial tasks. It measures the time elapsed of the latest analyzed results before arriving at the receiver since the generation of any type of sampling data belonging to an industrial task. Considering the time-varying and wireless environments, we aim to minimize the long-term AoTI for IWSNs applications by jointly optimizing access selections and sampling frequencies for all sensors. We first formulate this problem as a Mixed Integer Nonlinear Programming (MINLP) problem and then transform it into a Constrained Markov Decision Process (CMDP), which is further relaxed as an MDP using the Lagrangian method. Finally, we develop a Learning-based Access selection and Sampling frequency Control (LASC) algorithm and verify its superiority through extensive simulations.

Design of Temporary Storage for Hazardous and Toxic Waste in a Rotogravure Cylinder Manufacturing Industry

PT APEB is a company that producing rotogravure cylinders. Company's management of hazardous and toxic waste, commonly referred to as B3 waste has been inadequate, particularly in regards to the temporary storage facility. The aim of this study is to analyse the types, characteristics, and quantity of B3 waste produced by the company. The results will be used to design a temporary storage facility for B3 waste that complies with Indonesian standards. The method used in this study is descriptive quantitative. All of the collected data, including information on fire extinguishers, storage tanks, aperture area, lighting, pallets, and packaging, has been determined to aid in the development of a temporary storage facility for B3 waste that adheres to the current regulations in Indonesia. The building has been designed using the Sketchup software. The available space for the temporary B3 waste storage facility is 10 m x 10 m x 4.5 m, and it is divided into three parts: warehouse A (WWTP sludge), warehouse B (grinding sludge and PPE, rags, and contaminated packages), and warehouse C (electronic waste, chemical ex-lab, and oil waste), which are divided according to the type and characteristics of the waste. One dry chemical powder fire extinguisher is required for the building, along with 9 armature lights. Up to 5 pieces of ventilation with a length of 40 x 50 cm are also proposed.

The property value impacts of industrial chemical accidents

Using hedonic methods, we examine how chemical accidents at industrial facilities impact home values. The study focuses on facilities regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Risk Management Plan (RMP) program, which is in place to reduce the risk of harm to offsite populations from accidental chemical fires, explosions, and releases of toxic vapors. RMP facility and accident data were linked to residential transactions in Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. To facilitate causal inference, alternative difference-in-differences and triple differences models are estimated, where we compare homes near and far, and before and after, an accident; as well as homes near facilities where an accident did and did not occur. We find that the typical accident does not generally affect home values, but accidents resulting in offsite injuries, property damage, evacuations, or shelter-in-place orders lead to a 5% to 8% decrease in the value of homes within five kilometers; suggesting an average loss of $12,000 to $20,000. The benefits of policies that help avoid these impacts are particularly relevant from an environmental justice standpoint. Proximity to an RMP facility, irrespective of any incidents, is associated with significantly lower home values. Existing inequities are exacerbated by chemical accidents that impact offsite populations.

Person killed in chemical plant explosion

An explosion at a Seqens chemical plant in Newburyport, Massachusetts, early on May 4 killed one worker. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation. This is the third serious accident at the plant, which manufactures pharmaceutical chemicals under contract, since 2020, when an explosion damaged a building. A chemical fire occurred at the site in 2021. The person killed was Jack O’Keefe, who according to a local news report had worked at the company for over 25 years. Four other workers on site when the explosion occurred were hospitalized as a precaution but were uninjured, according to Barry Salt, Newburyport’s deputy fire chief. “They had just wrapped up a typical manufacturing procedure that they’d done numerous times daily,” Salt says. “Obviously there was some sort of accident to cause the explosion, but what that was or how that happened is still in the beginning stages of investigation.” The plant

Toxic Fumes Exposure–More than Just an Airway Concern – RETRACTED

Introduction:Exposure to toxic fumes from an industrial chemical fire may not only lead to airway burns and inhalational injury but also toxic exposure via the transdermal route.Method:A 45-year-old gentleman presented with dyspnea two hours after a ten-minute exposure to toxic fumes while fighting an industrial chemical fire without personal protective equipment. He reported voice hoarseness and chest tightness. Nasoendoscopy demonstrated paranasal sinus soot and significant upper airway edema. Awake fiber-optic intubation was performed for prophylactic airway protection in the Burns ICU but bronchoscopy did not reveal any inhalational burns.However, the patient developed worsening lactic acidosis (serum lactate 2.8mmol/L to 8.1mmol/L with pH 7.28) within 12 hours post-exposure. Carboxyhemoglobin was 0.9%. Toxicology was consulted for suspicions of transdermal HAZMAT contamination, in particular cyanide given the profound lactic acidosis. The patient was given two doses of hydroxocobalamin and brought to the Hospital Decontamination Unit for de-gowning and thorough wash-down. The chemical scan meter showed high levels (352IU) of an unknown chemical on his skin pre-decontamination, which could not be detected post-decontamination. Lactate improved to 5.0mmol/L within two hours post-decontamination while acidosis resolved at eight hours post-decontamination. The patient was extubated and discharged without sequelae.Results:To our knowledge, no other human cases of transdermal cyanide poisoning have been reported. Cyanide interferes with mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation pathways to cause toxicity and death if untreated. However, its effects via transdermal exposure are often delayed compared to exposure via more conventional inhalational routes. This makes recognition difficult and compounds the challenge of long turnaround time for blood cyanide tests. Increased transdermal absorption is possible through intact skin if moistened by sweat.Conclusion:The potential for transdermal HAZMAT absorption from exposure to toxic fumes is underrecognized. It is crucial to maintain vigilance given the challenges in diagnosing transdermal cyanide toxicity and importance of initiating treatment early.

A Current Reminder of Professional Responses to Environmental Disasters

As of this writing, the February 3, 2023, derailment of a Norfolk Southern train in East Palestine, Ohio, is at the forefront of public scrutiny and concern. Although initial emergency safety measures were taken to protect surrounding residents, fears have continued to grow in the weeks that follow about their adequacy. The implications of this lethal disaster are particularly far-reaching, given the hazardous chemical fire that resulted from this accident. Authorities continue to debate what distances are adequate for various safety recommendations, threats to air and water contamination, and the extent to which individuals and regions may be affected at present and in the future. Particularly, unease about latent and long-term health risks have increased along with geographic areas of impact given the potential for corrupted water and food supplies, air pollution, acid rain, and other means in which chemicals extend their reach well beyond the site of the incident. Four weeks after this disaster, there appears to be little certainty about the ramifications and scope of this tragic event.

Chemical Fires Associated with Two Major Earthquakes in Japan

This study describes the characteristics of chemical fires (fires in laboratories, oil factories, etc.,) caused by earthquakes. First, the relationship between earthquakes and fires (particularly chemical laboratory fires) in Japan is described; afterward, the relationship between chemical substances and the natural environment (particularly fires) is described. Next, we explain the relationship between fire and chemistry after explaining the two past major earthquakes in Japan, the great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake and the great East Japan earthquake, based on statistics and records. Finally, we describe the measures taken against chemical fires and future earthquakes.

The Role of Presence or Absence of Knowledge Information in Chemical Industry Fires

The Role of Presence or Absence of Knowledge Information in Chemical Industry Fires

Chemical warehouse fire kills 38 in China

Some 38 people have died in a fire at a facility in Anyang city, Henan Province, China, according to Xinhua, China’s official state news agency. The fire occurred Nov. 21 at a site operated by Kaixinda Trading Company, a chemical wholesaler, media reports state. Chinese president Xi Jinping ordered all-out efforts to rescue and treat the injured, Xinhua reports. The incident is reminiscent of a 2015 warehouse fire in Tianjin, China , that killed 165 people.

Chemical warehouse fire kills 38 in China

Chemical warehouse fire kills 38 in China

EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL ADMIXTURES FOR CEMENT CONCRETE ON MORTAR FLOW AND COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF GEOPOLYMER

Huge amounts of Portland cement which is a main constituent material of concrete is manufactured and carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted by the manufacturing process of cement can cause global warming. Geopolymer (GP) contains no cement as a binder and several industrial by-products such as fly ash and blast furnace slag, so the spread of GP contributes to the reduction of global warming and the environmental load. GP has low CO2 emissions, high durability due to chemical attack and fire resistance, however, viscosity of GP is higher than that of cement concrete. Although chemical admixtures can be effective to the improvement of workability, most commercial products of them are for cement concrete. In this study, mortar flow and compressive strength of GP were experimentally evaluated in order to investigate effects of several chemical admixtures for cement concrete. Water glass and caustic soda solution were used as an alkaline-activating solution, and water glass causes high viscosity of GP mortar, so mortar flow test and compression test were conducted by using GP mortar with and without water glass. Test results indicate that the GP mortar without water glass had lower viscosity and lower compressive strength than that with water glass. The chemical admixture whose base component is naphthalenesulfonic acid was most effective to fluidity and compressive strength of GP mortar without water glass.

SAFETY EVALUATION OF PETROLEUM TANK FARM: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY OF NNPCL MAIDUGURI DEPOT PLANT

A petroleum tank farm, usually known as an oil terminal is a common facility that stores flammable liquid. Tank farm has possible hazards to the people, environment and asset. Some of the hazards such as fire, static electricity, transportation etc. are accidents which occur at the oil terminals. Many industries are using different risk assessment methods to priorities hazards linked to their work activities. In this study, a new risk and safety analysis model, known as quantitative risk assessment (QRA) for tank farm was applied. QRA is an effective planning tool used in chemical processing plant, to help at forecasting the potential major accident occurrences, so that suitable mitigating and preventive measures can be implemented. QRA was conducted on a selected NNPCL Maiduguri depot tank farm with specified objectives. The three main objectives for this study are hazard identification, risk evaluation using qualitative and quantitative risk assessment by using the hazard and operability analysis, HAZOP and failure mode effect analysis (FMEA) methods. It was found that hazard occurrences were from various categories namely general management, hazardous chemical exposure and fire safety etc. In this research work, two scenarios was established and the estimated risks are associated to the petroleum tank farm activity such as leakage at dispenser area due to poor safeguarding systems, underground fuel leakage during unloading due to fittings failure and storage tank explosion due to high pressure. However, in summary, complete planning which combines all aspects are deemed necessary so that the impact of the associated risk from the operational, storage and maintenance of petroleum tank farm can be identified and minimized during the activities by working out the FMEA method sheet.

Thinking about the Chemical Substances through Real-life Incidents: A Case Study on Pre-service Teachers' Knowledge on Various Dimensions of Laboratory Safety

Pre-service teachers who conduct experiments are faced with various risks in terms of physical, health and environment due to the chemicals they are exposed to in the laboratory classes. Working in a laboratory without knowing these risks causes accidents such as chemical spills, explosions and fires, and even individual injuries. For this reason, pre-service teachers should be trained about the importance of safety and the properties of the chemicals with using various learning strategies. In this context, we aimed to determine the knowledge about lab safety among the pre-service teachers through real-life laboratory accidents. This study, which focuses especially on the role of chemical substances in laboratory safety, was discussed with its various dimensions. 21 pre-service teachers taking the Laboratory Safety course and attending the Chemistry Teaching Program in a state university's the Faculty of Education in Aegean region (Turkey), participated in this research, based on the case study method. Worksheets containing cases related to laboratory accidents and semi-structured interview form were used as data collection tools. Considering the results of the research, we found that the pre-service teachers generally had a lack of knowledge on the chemicals' hazard classifications, physical, health and environmental hazards, pictograms, chemical properties, and safety precautions of chemicals within the frame of laboratory safety.