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Project
No.
Discipline
Identifier
Doc/Dwg
Type
Seq. No
Rev
2016
RPT
0001
Rev
Date
Description
Doc Title
2016-S-RPT-000-0001 REV.1
CONTENTS
1.0
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................... 4
1.1
Background ...................................................................................... 4
1.2
BLEVE ............................................................................................. 4
2.0
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
3.0
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.0
CONCLUSIONS..................................................................................... 18
5.0
REFERENCES ...................................................................................... 19
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2016-S-RPT-000-0001 REV.1
ABBREVIATIONS
BLEVE
HSE
LPG
NGL
tdu
Page 3 of 21
1.0
1.1
2016-S-RPT-000-0001 REV.1
INTRODUCTION
Background
On 22 of June 2012, an incident occurred at the Khor Mor LPG facility involving two
LPG road tankers. The subsequent fire and explosion caused damage to the LPG
loading area. With the exception of the LPG bullets and the LPG pumps, all of the
LPG loading facility will be rebuilt.
Petrofac has investigated the worst-case hazard consequence scenario, a Boiling
Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion (BLEVE) of a fully loaded 18MT LPG road tanker.
This report presents the results of the BLEVE investigation.
1.2
BLEVE
A Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion (BLEVE) is one of the serious hazards in
the LPG industry. Following description is given for BLEVE in Reference 1.
When a vessel containing liquid under pressure is exposed to fire, the liquid heats
up and the vapour pressure rises, increasing the pressure in the vessel. When this
pressure reaches the set pressure of the pressure relief valve, the valve operates.
The liquid level in the vessel falls as the vapour is released to the atmosphere. The
liquid is effective in cooling that part of the vessel wall which is in contact with it,
but the vapour is not. The proportion of the vessel wall which has the benefit of
liquid cooling falls as the liquid vapourises. After a time, metal which is not cooled
by liquid becomes exposed to the fire; the metal becomes hot and weakens and
may then rupture. This can occur even though the pressure relief valve is
operating correctly. A pressure vessel is designed to withstand the relief valve set
pressure, but only at the design temperature conditions. If the metal has its
temperature raised, it may lose strength sufficiently to rupture. A large fraction of
the flammable liquefied gas released, vapourises and forms a burning vapour cloud,
often called a fireball.
2.0
MODELLING ASSUMPTIONS
This section presents the assumptions used for the BLEVE modelling.
2.1
Name
No.
Truck Operating
pressure (barg)
Operating
Temperature(0C)
Inventory (kg)
30
18,000
11
30
18,000
17
50
18,000
22
50
18,000
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2016-S-RPT-000-0001 REV.1
Note: Scenario 1 & 2 operating temperature is selected as 30OC so that the fluid
phase is liquid. Scenario 3 is assumed as normal operating case, however, Scenario
4 has been considered conservatively as the design case to determine safe distance
requirement.
2.2
LPG Fluid
The respective LPG compositions employed for the modelling is based on Reference
2 and presented in following table.
TABLE 2: LPG COMPOSITION
Component
2.3
Mol Fraction
Design Case (70:30 LPG)
Ethane
0.0105
0.0076
Propane
0.6992
0.5089
i-Butane
0.0956
0.1485
n-Butane
0.1802
0.3220
i-Pentane
0.0100
0.0100
n-Pentane
0.0045
0.0028
n-Hexane
0.0000
0.0000
M-Mercaptan
0.0000
0.0000
E-Mercaptan
0.0001
0.0001
Modelling Software
The assessment has been carried out using the BLEVE model available within PHAST
(Version 6.7) that predicts the explosion overpressure and fireball distances.
2.4
Weather Data
Table 3 presents the weather/atmospheric assumptions (Reference 2).
TABLE 3: ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS
Parameter
52oC
Temperature
Weather Conditions (Atmospheric Stability Class and Wind
Speed)
Relative Humidity
2.5
Criteria
2F and 5D
80 %
Impairment Criteria
The following tables (Table 4 & 5) indicate the general thermal radiation
(Reference 3) and overpressure criteria (Reference 4) that have been considered
for the consequence modelling and relate to the impairment of escape routes and
structural failure. In Table 4, impairment criteria definition for 6.3 kW/m2 is
Page 5 of 21
2016-S-RPT-000-0001 REV.1
Impact Description
4.7
6.3
12.5
37.5
For short exposure (upto a few tens of seconds, typical of fireballs), thermal
radiation dose units (tdu) should be used [5].
Thermal Dose (tdu) = (I4/3)t
Where, I = incident thermal flux (kW/m2)
t = duration of exposure (s)
Unit of tdu: (kW/m2)4/3 s
For this project, tdu of 1000 (kW/m2)4/3s has been used which is equivalent to 1%
fatality as per the OGP guideline (Reference 5).
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2016-S-RPT-000-0001 REV.1
1.0/0.069
3.0/0.207
3.5/0.241
6.0/0.414
CONSEQUENCE RESULTS
This section discusses the results of the modelling with respect to explosion over
pressures and fireball radius.
A sensitivity analysis is done with Design case LPG and Alternative case LPG. It has
been observed that overpressure effect distances using Design case LPG
composition are more than that using Alternative case LPG composition (refer
Figure 1). It was also found that BLEVE thermal radiation does not change
appreciably with LPG composition (refer Figure 2). Since the Design case LPG
composition shows the conservative result, detailed result with Design case LPG
composition has been reported.
It may also be noted that the blast overpressure effect distance does not depend
on weather stability.
3.0
Explosion Overpressure
(psig/barg)
100
80
60
69mbar - Alternative
case LPG
40
20
241mbar - Alternative
case LPG
0
0
20
40
60
LPG Temperature, C
Page 7 of 21
2016-S-RPT-000-0001 REV.1
Radiation distance, m
Radiation_2F_Design case
LPG
Radiation_2F_Alternative
LPG
Radiation_5D_Design case
LPG
0
10
20
30
40
Radiation_5D_Alternative
LPG
Radiation, kW/m2
Sl. No
Name
Burst
pressure
(barg)
LPG tanker
1
Weather
Condition
Fireball
Radius
(m)
(m)
(m)
(m)
2F
79
10.9
193
297
347
5D
79
10.9
23
205
312
366
2F
79
10.9
33
206
312
364
5D
79
10.9
52
219
328
384
2F
79
10.9
64
225
335
389
5D
79
10.9
79
237
352
410
2F
79
10.9
80
236
349
405
5D
79
10.9
91
249
367
426
8.0
LPG tanker
LPG tanker
11.0
LPG tanker
LPG tanker
17.0
LPG tanker
LPG tanker
22.0
LPG tanker
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2016-S-RPT-000-0001 REV.1
Page 9 of 21
2016-S-RPT-000-0001 REV.1
Page 10 of 21
3.2
2016-S-RPT-000-0001 REV.1
LPG tanker
11
30
107
56
51
37
LPG tanker
17
50
121
63
57
42
LPG tanker
22
50
121
63
57
42
Sl. No.
Name
Distance to
0.207 barg
(m)
56
Distance to
0.241 barg
(m)
51
Distance to
0.414 barg
(m)
37
It may be noted that LPG at temperature 50OC is in vapour phase at both 8barg &
11barg operating pressure and hence 30OC has been selected for the calculation
with LPG as liquid. Although 14barg has been assumed as the plant operating
pressure, to keep conservatism in the design, 22barg LPG pressure with 50OC
operating temperature has been considered as the design conditions to evaluate
safe distances.
Overpressure contour assuming BLEVE location at the existing loading bay is shown
in Figure 6. Based on the explosion contours in Figure 6, it is concluded that the
present location is not suitable since there can be blast overpressure impact on
NLG tank and the NGL/LPG pumps along with the nearby piperack supporting
piping. Hence, the location of the new loading bay is required to be shifted away
from NGL tank and NGL piping to protect these items in case of BLEVE in the LPG
loading bay.
The explosion overpressure contours for Scenario-4 considering the BLEVE
occurrence at the new location are presented in Figure 7. Detailed overpressure
report from PHAST is included in Appendix 2. Based on the revised location the
overpressure values at the NGL piping and NGL tank are well below the explosion
damage criteria.
The report shows that blast overpressure at 70m away from BLEVE scenario is
approximately 0.18barg along with 131 N.s/m2 impulse (corresponding to 16ms
duration). Based on the explosion results it is suggested that the control room shall
be designed to protect an explosion overpressure of 0.2barg for 20ms duration
when located about 70m away from the nearest LPG loading bay.
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2016-S-RPT-000-0001 REV.1
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3.3
2016-S-RPT-000-0001 REV.1
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2016-S-RPT-000-0001 REV.1
Jet fire radiation (4.7 kw/m2) distances are found to be 62m & 57m with 2F and 5D
weather stability respectively. Thermal radiation contours are shown in Figure 10
below.
Figure 10: Jet fire radiation contour with 2F & 5D weather stability
Rupture of flexible hose
During a rupture case of the flexible hose, the pressure inside the hose will drop
suddenly. Excess flow check valve is connected in the upstream section of flexible
hose and slam shut valve is fitted at the liquid inlet of the tanker. In HAZID study
these valves have been considered as safe guards. In the event of hose rupture, it
has been assumed that both the valves will be closed immediately. The amount of
LPG released will be limited to approximately the inventory within the flexible
hose, which will be much less than the previously discussed leak case. A model has
been made considering rupture of a 3 flexible hose having 10m length resulting to
release of 0.0442m3 of LPG. The result shows that initially approximately 25m long
LFL cloud can be generated. The LFL cloud will be disengaged from the source soon
but it can travel to a distance of approximately 75m.
Figure 11: Flammable cloud dispersion contour with 2D weather stability from hose
rupture
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2016-S-RPT-000-0001 REV.1
Figure 12: Flammable cloud dispersion contour m/s from 5mm leak leak
Release from LPG tanker- slam shut valve malfunction (open)
A scenario has been considered in the event of flexible hose rupture and at the
same time the slam shut valve is malfunctioning. A 2inch leak has been considered
for modeling. In such situation entire tanker content (18000 kg of LPG at 14barg
pressure) is assumed to be released through ruptured hose lying in the ground. The
result shows that 0.5LFL distance extends to 276m and 187m during 2F & 5D
weather conditions respectively. The 0.5LFL cloud coverage is shown in Figure 13 &
Figure 14. Such release can create a LPG pool of maximum radius approximately
17m.
Figure 13: Flammable cloud dispersion contour with 2F m/s weather stability from tanker
release.
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2016-S-RPT-000-0001 REV.1
Figure 14: Flammable cloud dispersion contour with 5D weather stability from tanker
release.
The liquid LPG will be partially flashed and the remaining liquid will flow to the
open drain which is located towards east of loading area. The liquid LPG will flow
through the drain and ultimately flow outside fence to the adjacent wadi. Vapour
will be continuously generated during such liquid LPG flow until entire liquid is
converted to vapour.
Release calculation indicates that 54% of total release quantity (18000kg) can come
out as liquid amounting to 9720kg of liquid LPG. A part of this liquid will be
evaporated while flowing through loading area to open drain. The wet loading area
is assumed as 13.7mx3.8m (52.1m2) and the open drain length is considered as 90m
having 0.3m width (27m2). Thus total wet area is 79.1m2. Pool evaporation model is
used to calculate how much of liquid LPG can be evaporated until it reaches open
area outside the fence using a spreading pool model. It has been found that 1068kg
of liquid LPG can be evaporated within fence and the rest amount (8652kg) of
liquid LPG will be evaporated outside fence. Pool evaporation model shows that a
maximum spreading pool radius of approximately 12.5m is possible. A discharge
model is then developed to check the dispersing cloud length in open area. It shows
that the LFL and 0.5LFL cloud can reach approximately 125m & 175m respectively
in a flat terrain (refer Figure 15).
Figure 15: Flammable cloud dispersion contour with 2F weather stability with LPG release
from tanker and flowing into the open area outside fence.
Page 17 of 21
4.0
2016-S-RPT-000-0001 REV.1
CONCLUSIONS
Consequence modelling has been carried out for LPG road tanker failure scenario
leading to a BLEVE to evaluate thermal radiation and overpressure effects.
Following are the conclusions:
1. The full volume of the LPG truck (18MT, 38.3m3) has been considered as the
worst-case scenario for the purposes of this assessment. This worst case event
has been modelled for four different operating conditions (scenario 1 to
scenario 4) with two different LPG compositions (Design case LPG composition
(approximately 70:30 propane:butane) & Alternative LPG composition
(approximately 50:50 propane:butane)). Since Alternative LPG composition
provides lesser effect distances than that using Design case LPG composition,
only Design case LPG composition has been used for consequence assessment.
2. Overpressure contours drawn on the existing plot plan (Figure 6) indicates a
possibility of the NGL storage tank being impacted (roof collapse) if a BLEVE
occurs at the existing location of loading bay. Hence a new location of the
loading bay away from the existing location towards south direction is
suggested. The overpressure contours from the proposed loading location
(Figure 7) shows that the NGL tank is located away from 0.069bar overpressure
distance from the LPG loading location. The existing process area, NGL pump
area & the nearby pipe supporting structures are located outside 0.24bar
overpressure contour and hence do not pose any risk of damage from blast
overpressure impact.
3. The blast overpressure at 70m away from BLEVE scenario is approximately
0.18barg along with 131 N.s/m2 impulse (corresponding to 16ms duration). It is
recommended to design the LPG control room to protect explosion
overpressure of 0.2barg for 20ms duration and shall be located 70m away from
the nearest LPG loading bay.
4. The maximum fireball radius is 79m from the LPG road tanker loading bay. The
fireball can last for 10.9 seconds. The model assumes that the full mass of LPG
has been released from the truck before ignition and as such the different
operating conditions have no effect on the fireball results.
5. People working in compressor & other main plant areas are outside 1% fatality
zone. People working in LPG/NGL pump area are within 1% fatality zone. In the
event of any fire scenario at LPG loading area, all the personnel within the
plant must move away from the incident site and proceed to the Muster area
on West side of the plant. Those who are unable to reach the muster area can
take shelter against the radiation under a covered area to avoid direct
exposure to radiation.
6. Muster point located at the north-west corner & south-west corner will not be
impacted from BLEVE scenario since this is outside 6.3kW/m2 radiation
contour.
7. For a credible leak horizontal jet fire scenario, firefighting using monitor
should be done from the reverse side direction of the jet fire. However, onsite
judgment shall be made to decide on the selection of monitor depending on
size of fire & the direction of fire.
8. Flammable gas detector height should be selected 1.0m.
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2016-S-RPT-000-0001 REV.1
9. Any open guard house should be located minimum of 275m away from the
loading bay.
5.0
REFERENCES
1. Loss Prevention In The Process Industries, F P Lees, Volume 2, Hazard
Identification, Assessment and Control, Third Edition, 2005.
2. Crescent Petroleum/ Dana Gas, LPG Loading Consequence Modelling Work
scope, Doc No. CPCI-20xxx September 2012 Rev.1 as referenced in
Consequence report by Risktec (Document no. DNG-04-R-01).
3. DNV Technica, A Guide to Quantitative Risk Assessment for Offshore
Installations, Centre for Marine and Petroleum Technology (CMPT), 1999.
4. Vulnerability of plant/structure, Oil & Gas Producer (OGP) data, Report No.
434-15, March 2010.
5. Vulnerability of humans, Oil & Gas Producer (OGP) data, Report No. 434-14.1,
March 2010.
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