FEM3A simulations of selected LNG vapor barrier verification field tests

Technical Report · Mon Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6346234· OSTI ID:6346234

Chan, S T

In order to evaluate and eventually predict the possible mitigating effects of vapor fences on the dispersion of the vapor cloud resulting from an accidental liquefied natural gas (LNG) spill in storage areas, a research program was initiated to evaluate methods for predicting LNG dispersion distances for realistic facility configurations. As part of the program, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) conducted a series of large-scale field experiments called the LNG Vapor Barrier Verification Field Trials (also referred to as the Falcon Series) at the Liquefied Gaseous Fuels Spill Test Facility (LGFSTF), Nevada. Objectives were (1) to provide a data base on LNG vapor dispersion from spill involving complex field obstacles to assist in validation of wind tunnel and mathematical models, and (2) to assess the effectiveness of vapor fences for mitigating LNG vapor dispersion hazards in the events of an accidental spill. Five spill experiments were conducted on water in order to generate vapor at rates equivalent to the liquid spill rates. In this study, the FEM3A model was applied to simulate four of the Falcon experiments. The objectives of this study were, through numerical modeling and a detailed model-data comparison: (1) to improve our understanding of LNG vapor dispersion involving vapor barriers, (2) to assess FEM3A in modeling such complex vapor dispersion scenarios, and (3) to complement the results of field and wind tunnel tests, such as providing plausible explanations for unexpected results and filling in data gaps due to instrument failure or limited array size. Toward these goals, the relevant field measurements were analyzed and several series of 2-D and 3-D simulations were carried out. 11 refs., 93 figs., 11 tabs.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: GRI
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6346234
• Report Number(s): UCRL-CR-105184; GRI--90/0189; ON: DE91004201
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
030800* -- Natural Gas-- Environmental Aspects
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
990200 -- Mathematics & Computers
CONTAINMENT
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENERGY SOURCES
ENERGY TRANSFER
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EQUATIONS
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GAS SPILLS
GASES
HEAT TRANSFER
LIQUEFIED GASES
LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NATURAL GAS
PREDICTION EQUATIONS
PROGRESS REPORT
SIMULATION
TUNNELS
TURBULENCE
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
VAPORS
VELOCITY
WIND TUNNELS