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Introduction
Published in Srinivasan Chandrasekaran, Offshore Semi-Submersible Platform Engineering, 2020
The delayed ignition of a suitable quantity of flammable material with adequate mixing of gas or vapor and air in a confined area is called a Vapor cloud explosion. When the space is unconfined, it will result in a flash fire due to the burning of a vapor cloud of flammable materials. The duration of the flash fire is concise. Increased and consistent release of combustible material may convert the flash fire into the jet fire. Jet fire usually occurs due to the accidental release and burning of gas at flares. Small openings and high-pressure release characterize these. The sudden release of pressurized liquid or gas will result in a fireball, typically of 5 to 20 seconds duration. Fireball occurs due to Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE). Though the heat loads from fireball do not affect the structure, the impact of BLEVE can be significant. The release of flammable material from the process equipment causes pool fires. The heat transferred from a pool fire depends upon the release rate, pool size, flame height, and fire duration. Gases, flame, heat, and smoke resulting from the fire cause severe consequences to personnel, equipment, and structure.
Risk Assesment
Published in Srinivasan Chandrasekaran, Offshore Structural Engineering, 2017
A jet fire is an intense, highly directional fire resulting from ignition of a vapor or two-phase release with significant momentum. They tend to be localized in effect and are mainly of concern in establishing the potential for domino effects and employee safety zones rather than for community risks. The jet fire model is based on the radiant fraction of total combustion energy, which is assumed to arise from a point slowly along the jet flame path. The jet dispersion model gives the jet flame length.
Quantified risk assessment on life and property loss from road collision vehicle fires with hydrogen-fueled tank
Published in International Journal of Green Energy, 2019
For the hazards associated with hydrogen systems, the unintended hydrogen release and subsequent potential flammable effects are the major concern. The release of hydrogen can be either a continuous release from the onboard storage tank or instantaneous release such as a catastrophic rupture of the high-pressure tank. The consequence of a continuous release depends on the time of ignition. An immediate ignition of a continuous release of hydrogen will result in a jet fire, while delayed ignition of the flammable hydrogen cloud will lead to a flash fire or an explosion if in confined space. The heat radiation from the jet fire and overpressure from the explosion are harmful to people and property. Without ignition, the released hydrogen will be harmless in an open environment as hydrogen is nontoxic gas. One might argue that an accumulation of hydrogen could result in breathing difficulties or even asphyxiation due to oxygen deficiency, but it is very unlikely to occur in hydrogen car accidents on road because of the limited hydrogen inventory of just a few kilograms.