A Study of the Growing Danger of Detonation in Unconfined Gas Cloud Explosions

A Study of the Growing Danger of Detonation in Unconfined Gas Cloud Explosions
Author: John A. Brown
Publisher:
Total Pages: 110
Release: 1973
Genre: Shock waves
ISBN:

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There is a real and growing danger of detonation of unconfined fuel-air clouds formed by massive industrial gas spills, and the danger increases with the size of the spill. A simple flame is probably not enough to initiate detonation of an unconfined gas cloud no matter how large the scale; but small contributory explosions such as a bursting pressure vessel or a muffler backfire can initiate detonations if strategically located, and gas clouds burning under confinement can undergo spontaneous transition to detonation and initiate open-air clouds. Large scale spills present a greater likelihood of detonation than do smaller spills simply because they entail more opportunities for confined burning to occur or for the cloud to reach an initiation source. Their burning phenomena do not appear to be intrinsically different from those of smaller spills. The most serious hitherto-unrecognized hazard in a refinery is the widespread existence of confined spaces in which a gas cloud can burn to detonation. They include spaces under floors and behind panels, the sewer system, stacks of empty pipe lengths and numerous others. Theoretically, a large spill of flammable gas could mix with the stoichiometric amount of air and possess the explosive power of a small atomic bomb; but experience has shown that the actual yield seldom exceeds 5% of the potential yield - although gas which does not participate in an explosion can still contribute to damage by participating in a subsequent firestorm. Techniques are available to make a quantitative assessment of the damage potential of a given spill in a given situation, and such an assessment would provide top management with the information needed to make an informed risk decision. Techniques are also available to reduce the risk of explosion in the event of a spill. They include limiting the scale of processing, limiting the growth of spill clouds by pilot lights, elimination of confined spaces in which a flame can grow to detonation, greater use of flame arrestors and the installation of gas quench systems. This report is a scouting and planning study intended to give an appreciation for the kind and amount of information that exists and to assess what might be accomplished by a full-scale safety R & D program. It presents a recommended program in sufficient detail for management evaluation and action; with the data and evidential basis for the recommendation.

Gas, Dust and Hybrid Explosions

Gas, Dust and Hybrid Explosions
Author: W.E. Baker
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 277
Release: 2012-12-02
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 044459809X

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Damaging accidental explosions are a continuous threat to industry. Categories for such explosions include combustible dust explosions; reactive gas explosions, both confined and unconfined; hybrid explosions involving both gases and dusts; bursts of pressure vessels and piping; and liquid propellant explosions. This book evaluates the physical processes and resulting blast effects for these types of explosions. Special attention is given to reactive gas explosions, both confined and unconfined. This latter class of explosion has occurred all too frequently in refineries and petrochemical complexes, and is also one of the most difficult to predict and evaluate. Much recent work on this topic is reviewed and summarized. This is the only publication of its kind, to date, that offers such a thorough coverage of these types of industrial explosions. [p] Each class of explosion source is reviewed separately, first discussing fundamentals, then presenting methods of analysis and testing, and finally giving curves or equations to predict effects of the particular class of explosion. An extensive bibliography is included together with tables of pertinent properties of explosive materials. The text also includes many figures, equations, tables and a keyword index. The book is intended for researchers in the field of characterizing and mitigating industrial explosions. It will also be of interest to engineers, scientists, and insurers involved in processes.

Lees' Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

Lees' Loss Prevention in the Process Industries
Author: Frank Lees
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 3708
Release: 2005-01-25
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0080489338

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Over the last three decades the process industries have grown very rapidly, with corresponding increases in the quantities of hazardous materials in process, storage or transport. Plants have become larger and are often situated in or close to densely populated areas. Increased hazard of loss of life or property is continually highlighted with incidents such as Flixborough, Bhopal, Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, the Phillips 66 incident, and Piper Alpha to name but a few. The field of Loss Prevention is, and continues to, be of supreme importance to countless companies, municipalities and governments around the world, because of the trend for processing plants to become larger and often be situated in or close to densely populated areas, thus increasing the hazard of loss of life or property. This book is a detailed guidebook to defending against these, and many other, hazards. It could without exaggeration be referred to as the "bible" for the process industries. This is THE standard reference work for chemical and process engineering safety professionals. For years, it has been the most complete collection of information on the theory, practice, design elements, equipment, regulations and laws covering the field of process safety. An entire library of alternative books (and cross-referencing systems) would be needed to replace or improve upon it, but everything of importance to safety professionals, engineers and managers can be found in this all-encompassing reference instead. Frank Lees' world renowned work has been fully revised and expanded by a team of leading chemical and process engineers working under the guidance of one of the world’s chief experts in this field. Sam Mannan is professor of chemical engineering at Texas A&M University, and heads the Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center at Texas A&M. He received his MS and Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Oklahoma, and joined the chemical engineering department at Texas A&M University as a professor in 1997. He has over 20 years of experience as an engineer, working both in industry and academia. New detail is added to chapters on fire safety, engineering, explosion hazards, analysis and suppression, and new appendices feature more recent disasters. The many thousands of references have been updated along with standards and codes of practice issued by authorities in the US, UK/Europe and internationally. In addition to all this, more regulatory relevance and case studies have been included in this edition. Written in a clear and concise style, Loss Prevention in the Process Industries covers traditional areas of personal safety as well as the more technological aspects and thus provides balanced and in-depth coverage of the whole field of safety and loss prevention. * A must-have standard reference for chemical and process engineering safety professionals * The most complete collection of information on the theory, practice, design elements, equipment and laws that pertain to process safety * Only single work to provide everything; principles, practice, codes, standards, data and references needed by those practicing in the field

Guidelines for Vapor Cloud Explosion, Pressure Vessel Burst, BLEVE, and Flash Fire Hazards

Guidelines for Vapor Cloud Explosion, Pressure Vessel Burst, BLEVE, and Flash Fire Hazards
Author: CCPS (Center for Chemical Process Safety)
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 358
Release: 2011-12-01
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1118209877

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This guide provides an overview of methods for estimating the characteristics of vapor cloud explosions, flash fires, and boiling-liquid-expanding-vapor explosions (BLEVEs) for practicing engineers. It has been updated to include advanced modeling technology, especially with respect to vapor cloud modeling and the use of computational fluid dynamics. The text also reviews past experimental and theoretical research and methods to estimate consequences. Heavily illustrated with photos, charts, tables, and diagrams, this manual is an essential tool for safety, insurance, regulatory, and engineering students and professionals.

Unconfined Vapor Cloud Explosions

Unconfined Vapor Cloud Explosions
Author: Keith Gugan
Publisher: Gulf Publishing
Total Pages: 192
Release: 1979
Genre: Science
ISBN:

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