Forensic analysis on bursting accident of buffer tank in liquefied natural gas bus

Abstract

With the massive consumption of oil and the serious environmental problems, all countries are looking for clean and efficient energy to solve the current energy shortage and environmental pollution. Automobile is not only a big consumer of oil, but also one of the main sources of air pollution. In the process of searching for alternative fuels, the liquefied natural gas (LNG) vehicle has become the development trend of new energy automobile in the world [1]. However, due to the cryogenic nature and flammable characteristic of LNG, the accidents of LNG vehicle often occur, and the consequences can be catastrophic [2,3]. The accidental leakage of LNG may cause low-temperature damage on material or human body. When LNG leaks into air, it may produce a chemical explosion or fire. Under some conditions, the direct contact of LNG and water can produce a rapid phase transition (RPT) explosion, which could cause damage to adjacent materials or structures, leading to more serious consequences [4,5]. Regrettably, the safety regulations and standards for LNG vehicle are relatively backward; the common breakdown and emergency method need more attention.Rapid phase transition (RPT) is a complex process, which has the thermodynamic and hydrodynamic properties. In the LNG