Experimental Study of Thermal Response of LPG Tanks Subjected to External Fire

Abstract

The experimental research on thermal response of LPG tank exposed to fire is carried out. A experimental apparatus to simulate real accident of LPG tank is designed and manufactured. A series of experiments for different fill levels, different type of tanks subjected to different type of fires are performed with this apparatus. From the results of the experiments, the obvious stratification of temperature in the ladings of the tank is observed. And the pressure is increased due to the stratification. Thermal response of the LPG is affected by various factors such as fire type, tank type and fill level etc. The liquid could be superheated or sub-cooled in fire exposure situation. The pressure can be fitted to time by cube polynomial equation.