Effects of large-scale LNG/water RPT explosions

Conference · Fri Apr 27 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:6383764

McRae, T G; Goldwire, H C; Hogan, W J; Morgan, Jr, D L

When cryogenic liquefied natural gas (LNG) is spilled on water and suddenly heated, one possible result is a kind of explosive boiling caused by the rapid phase transition (RPT) from liquid to gas. This explosive boiling can generate shock waves much like a conventional chemical explosion, which potentially increases the hazards associated with accidental LNG spills on water. RPT explosions with detonation energy equivalents of several kilograms of TNT occurred during large-scale (40-m/sup 3/) spill tests of LNG conducted in 1980 and 1981 by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). The results of these RPT experiments are presented and discussed in regard to their hazardous effects. The shock wave overpressures are discussed as to their damage effects both above and below the surface of the water. The effect of the RPT explosions was to increase the downwind extent of the flammable region. The impact of this effect on the damage potential of the fire is also discussed. 7 references, 12 figures, 3 tables.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 6383764
• Report Number(s): UCRL-90502; CONF-841201-15; ON: DE85001740
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
030500 -- Natural Gas-- Health & Safety
030800* -- Natural Gas-- Environmental Aspects
520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
DAMAGE
DATA
ENERGY SOURCES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
EXPLOSIONS
FIELD TESTS
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GAS SPILLS
GASES
INFORMATION
LIQUEFIED GASES
LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS
NUMERICAL DATA
SHOCK WAVES
TESTING