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Effects of tank failure mode and lading properties on propane fireball geometry and fire hazard

Conference ·
OSTI ID:287588
;  [1]
  1. Queen`s Univ., Kingston, Ontario (Canada). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
This paper studies the fireballs generated by the release of pressure-liquefied propane following thermally-induced failures of 400-l automotive tanks. Two different types of failure are investigated: BLEVE`s and large-jet fires where the opening of the tank is large enough to allow a rapid release of most of the lading. The paper investigates the influences of the failure mode and conditions in the tank on the fireball geometry and fire hazards. Results show that the temperature of the liquid lading has a considerable influence on the fireball behavior. Fireballs generated from a cool lading generate the worst fire hazards because they create a large ground fire, take longer to liftoff, and last longer.
OSTI ID:
287588
Report Number(s):
CONF-950927--; ISBN 0-8169-0660-2
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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