Study on the Characteristics of Single Tank Leakage Explosion Accidents in Tank Farm

Abstract

To quantitatively evaluate the consequences of a chain-detonation accident from a single tank leak in a tank farm, this paper simulates a leak-detonation accident based on the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model with three different arrangements of field, one-way and L-shape distribution, and evaluates its impact on personnel and buildings. It combines the diffusion of combustible gases with subsequent deflagration due to accidental ignition. The diffusion behavior of the leaking gas with the wind is predicted and the danger zone created within the tank area is evaluated. Subsequently, a deflagration scenario due to the ignition of the flammable gas is simulated predicting the overpressure and high-temperature deflagration loads. Finally, the impact of a leaked gas deflagration on other tanks and personnel in the tank farm was evaluated. The hazardous area resulting from the diffusion of the leaking gas is mainly located on the right of the leaking tank. The hazards posed by different distribution arrangements of tank types also differed. The minimum radius to ensure safety under deflagration overpressure is 11.97 m. The present work is conducive to the determination of the safe distance between individual tanks in the new tank farm and the formulation of the safety protection.