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U.S. Department of Energy
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Control of LNG spill fires on land

Conference · · Adv. Cryog. Eng.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6724732

A fire research effort under a joint sponsorship between the American Gas Association and several fire equipment manufacturers was conducted on LNG spill fires up to 1200 ft/sup 2/ in size to: (1) evaluate and quantify the effects of high-expansion foams on the dispersion of LNG boiloff vapors from spills on land; (2) evaluate and quantify the effects of high-expansion foams on the control of LNG spill fires on land; and (3) evaluate and quantify the extinguishing capabilities of all commercially available dry chemical agents on LNG spill fires on land, with and without simulated process equipment obstructions. The following conclusions can be made from the test results. High-quality, high-expansion foams provide adequate control of LNG spill fires on land and reduce external radiation effects to the level that supplemental exposure control provisions will not be needed beyond one-quarter or more pool diameters. The 500 : 1 foam expansion ratio appears to be superior to both higher and lower expansion ratios. A blanket of foam greatly aids the dispersion of LNG boiloff vapors by making the vapors more buoyant. The dry chemical extinguishing requirements for standard (sodium bicarbonate) agents, as established from consideration of the Lake Charles, Louisiana, LNG fire tests and tests on natural gas, were confirmed. The extinguishing requirements for potassium bicarbonate, monoammonium phosphate, and the reaction product of urea and potassium bicarbonate were established. (LK)

Research Organization:
University Engineers, Inc., Norman, OK
OSTI ID:
6724732
Journal Information:
Adv. Cryog. Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: Adv. Cryog. Eng.; (United States) Vol. 20; ISSN ACYEA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English