Abstract
The boiling liquid expanding vapour explosion (BLEVE) has existed
for a long time and for most of this time it has been cloaked in
mystery. Several theories have been put forward to explain this very
energetic event but none have been proven. This paper describes a
series of tests that have recently been conducted to study this phenomenon.
The study involved ASME code automotive propane tanks with nominal
capacities of 400 litres. The tanks were exposed to a combination
of pool and/or torch fires. These fire conditions led to thermal
ruptures, and in some cases these ruptures resulted in BLEVEs. The
variables in the tests were the pressure-relief valve setting, the
tank wall thickness, and the fire condition. In total, 30 tests have
been conducted, of which 22 resulted in thermal ruptures. Of those
tanks that ruptured, 11 resulted in what we call BLEVEs. In this
paper, we have defined a BLEVE as the explosive release of expanding
vapour and boiling liquid following a catastrophic tank failure.
Non-BLEVEs involved tanks that ruptured but which only resulted in
a prolonged jet release. The objective of this study was to investigate
why certain tank ruptures lead to a BLEVE rather than a more benign
jet-type release. Data are presented to show how wall temperature,
wall thickness, liquid temperature and fill level contribute to the
BLEVE process.
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