Combined dispersion & explosion modeling in process safety
- Mark A. Fry & Associates, Inc., Whitehouse Station, NJ (United States)
Computer modeling of explosions within process facilities is usually a multistep process. A procedure might be: First, accidental releases of gases are postulated and then modeled with a dispersion code. Flammable materials are analyzed to find the contours within the flammability limits. Next, the amount of material and physical extent is fed to a explosion code, which outputs the overpressure and impulse. Then the damage must be related to pressure and impulse through P-1 diagrams, which are empirically derived. A separate calculation for thermal output is also required to analyze damage from direct radiation and secondary fires. We present a modular computer architecture that can be used to determine the sensitivity of not only the input scenario, but the accuracy of each of the models used in the process. For example, we have combined computer models, which can assess damage from toxic only clouds and/or flammable clouds. The PCBLAST{sup {reg_sign}}methodology and DEGADIS have been combined into an integrated computer architecture that allows the user the ability to see damage levels for any scenario. This approach can be used with any set of dispersion and explosion models. Furthermore, at each step of the procedure, error bars are placed on the model output. These errors propagate and affect the final answer, the damage. In this way a probabilistic assessment of damage can be ascertained either from scenario variation or model inaccuracy. The accuracy of the models, both dispersion and explosion, is of importance. However, the uncertainties in the scenarios may diminish the need for highly accurate models. For example, the PCBLAST{sup {reg_sign}}computer module is based on first principles physics, and as a result is highly accurate. Combining the modeling process into a linked and interactive computer code allows one to quantitatively assess the source of the uncertainties; in the models and/or in the definition of scenarios.
- OSTI ID:
- 269139
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-960107-; TRN: 96:002013-0012
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: annual exhibition and conference for environment, health and safety in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries, Houston, TX (United States), 30 Jan - 1 Feb 1996; Other Information: PBD: 1996; Related Information: Is Part Of Energy week `96 - PETRO-SAFE; PB: 291 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Dynamic Data-Driven Event Reconstruction for Atmospheric Releases
Explosive Effectiveness Capability (ExEC)