skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Risks of LNG and LPG. [Review]

Abstract

Since the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) as fuels is likely to increase and will certainly persist for some time to come, assessment of the safety of LNG/LPG systems will continue to draw attention and is quite likely to force continuing review of operating and design standards for LNG/LPG facilities. Scientific investigations to date appear to have identified the major hazards. Except for the dispersive behavior of vapor clouds - a not-insignificant factor in risk evaluation - the consequences of spills are well circumscribed by current analyses. The physically significant effects accompanying nonexplosive combustion of spilled material are fairly well documented; yet, potentially substantial uncertainties remain. Catastrophic spills of 10/sup 4/-10/sup 5/ m/sup 3/ on land or water are possible, given the current size of storage vessels. Almost all experimental spills have used less than 10 m/sup 3/ of liquid. There is thus some uncertainty regarding the accuracy and validity of extrapolation of current empirical information and physical models to spills of catastrophic size. The less-likely but still-possible explosive or fireball combustion modes are not well understood in respect to their inception. The troubling experience with such violent combustion of similar combustible vapors suggestsmore » that this possibility will need further definition. Extant LNG and LPG risk analyses illustrate the difficulties of substantiating the numerous event probabilities and the determination of all event sequences that can lead to hazardous consequences. Their disparate results show that significant improvements are needed. Most importantly, a detailed critique of past efforts and a determination of an exhaustive set of criteria for evaluating the adequacy of a risk analysis should precede any further attempts to improve on existing studies. 44 references, 1 table.« less

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge
OSTI Identifier:
6395052
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Annu. Rev. Energy; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 5
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
02 PETROLEUM; 03 NATURAL GAS; 29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY AND ECONOMY; LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS; RISK ASSESSMENT; LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GASES; ACCIDENTS; HAZARDS; PROBABILITY; ENERGY SOURCES; FLUIDS; FOSSIL FUELS; FUEL GAS; FUELS; GAS FUELS; GASES; LIQUIDS; NATURAL GAS; NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS; PETROLEUM PRODUCTS; 020900* - Petroleum- Environmental Aspects; 030800 - Natural Gas- Environmental Aspects; 294002 - Energy Planning & Policy- Petroleum; 294003 - Energy Planning & Policy- Natural Gas

Citation Formats

Fay, J A. Risks of LNG and LPG. [Review]. United States: N. p., 1980. Web. doi:10.1146/annurev.eg.05.110180.000513.
Fay, J A. Risks of LNG and LPG. [Review]. United States. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.eg.05.110180.000513
Fay, J A. 1980. "Risks of LNG and LPG. [Review]". United States. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.eg.05.110180.000513.
@article{osti_6395052,
title = {Risks of LNG and LPG. [Review]},
author = {Fay, J A},
abstractNote = {Since the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) as fuels is likely to increase and will certainly persist for some time to come, assessment of the safety of LNG/LPG systems will continue to draw attention and is quite likely to force continuing review of operating and design standards for LNG/LPG facilities. Scientific investigations to date appear to have identified the major hazards. Except for the dispersive behavior of vapor clouds - a not-insignificant factor in risk evaluation - the consequences of spills are well circumscribed by current analyses. The physically significant effects accompanying nonexplosive combustion of spilled material are fairly well documented; yet, potentially substantial uncertainties remain. Catastrophic spills of 10/sup 4/-10/sup 5/ m/sup 3/ on land or water are possible, given the current size of storage vessels. Almost all experimental spills have used less than 10 m/sup 3/ of liquid. There is thus some uncertainty regarding the accuracy and validity of extrapolation of current empirical information and physical models to spills of catastrophic size. The less-likely but still-possible explosive or fireball combustion modes are not well understood in respect to their inception. The troubling experience with such violent combustion of similar combustible vapors suggests that this possibility will need further definition. Extant LNG and LPG risk analyses illustrate the difficulties of substantiating the numerous event probabilities and the determination of all event sequences that can lead to hazardous consequences. Their disparate results show that significant improvements are needed. Most importantly, a detailed critique of past efforts and a determination of an exhaustive set of criteria for evaluating the adequacy of a risk analysis should precede any further attempts to improve on existing studies. 44 references, 1 table.},
doi = {10.1146/annurev.eg.05.110180.000513},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6395052}, journal = {Annu. Rev. Energy; (United States)},
number = ,
volume = 5,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1980},
month = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1980}
}