Process safety implications of BLEVEs: A Comprehensive analysis of BLEVE during road/rail transportation of LPG accidents and BLEVE consequence modelling

Boiling liquid expanding vapour explosions (BLEVEs) are among the most dangerous accidents that can occur in the chemical process industry, particularly during the storage and transportation of liquefied gases. In order to better understand the hazards associated with BLEVEs during the transport of liquefied gases, historical cases involving transportation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) from around the world were investigated. A literature review was conducted to identify available models and hand calculation methods to estimate the characteristics of BLEVEs, and to determine if any prior research had been completed on the comparative analysis of observed and predicted BLEVE characteristics.
Hand calculation methods were found to be a useful tool in this regard, and are summarized in a table that outlines the step-by-step calculation methodologies. Furthermore, seven different cases of BLEVE accidents are presented in the BLEVE case histories chapter, describing the effects and phenomena observed during such incidents.
Data obtained from these case studies were analysed using different methodologies to estimate the fireball parameters (diameter, duration, and height), thermal radiation from the fireball at specific viewpoints, overpressure wave, and maximum missile distance after the accidents. The estimated results were then compared with the observed damage to assess the accuracy of the prediction models and to critically evaluate their validity.
Finally, a discussion on the best model to use in different BLEVE consequences is proposed. The uncertainty associated with damage observed after the accidents and the calculation of the BLEVE consequences are also discussed in this study. By investigating the historical cases of BLEVEs and using different methodologies to estimate their hazards, this study provides valuable insights into the potential hazards associated with BLEVEs during the transportation of liquefied gases, and highlights the importance of accurate and reliable prediction models to prevent such accidents.