Bleve Impacts From LPG Spherical Tank

Refineries produce Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and store the LPG in cylindrical or spherical tanks. If the LPG tanks are exposed to a fire of sufficient duration and intensity, it can undergo a Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE). BLEVE gives rise to the following effects: (1) blast wave, (2) fireball, and (3) fragments. This study aims to evaluate the BLEVE impacts threatening the safety of workers and communities, focusing on the 1000 m^3 LPG spherical tank as a case study. The BLEVE impacts were estimated by mathematical calculations. The thermal radiation was also estimated by Areal Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres (ALOHA) program. The peak overpressure at half full of the tank results in residential structure collapse and serious injuries. The fragments range reach up to 700m. The farthest thermal radiation threat zones are identified in case of half full tank as follows: (i) the potentially lethal red zone extends up to almost one km, the workers and the neighboring community who are outside their offices and shelters will be at risk (ii) the second-degree burns, the orange zone extends up to one and half km, and (iii) the pain yellow zone extends up to two kms.