Gill, J, Atkinson, G, Cowpe, E et al. (2 more authors) (2019) Experimental investigation of potential confined ignition sources for vapour cloud explosions. In: 29th Institution of Chemical Engineers Symposium on Hazards 2019 (HAZARDS 29). Hazards 29, 22-24 May 2019, ICC Birmingham, UK. IChemE ISBN 9781510889781
Abstract
Electrical control boxes are prolific on high vapour cloud hazard sites, and in the case of the Buncefield explosion the ignition source was inside such a box that was sited in an emergency pump house building. There has, however, been relatively little previous research into this type of ignition mechanism and its effect on the explosion severity. Commercially available electrical control boxes measuring 600 mm high, 400 mm wide and 250 mm deep were used to explore the pressure development, venting processes and flame characteristics of stoichiometric propane/air explosions using aluminium foil and the supplied doors as vent coverings. In this work, the boxes were empty of their usual contents in order to establish a baseline for the effect of the internal congestion of the boxes. It was found that, in these empty-box tests, the door produced a flat petal shaped flame, which differed drastically from the mushroom flame shape, associated rolling vortex bubble venting traditionally observed with large orifice vented explosions.
Metadata
Item Type: | Proceedings Paper |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © Crown copyright 2018. This is an author produced version of a conference paper published in 29th Institution of Chemical Engineers Symposium on Hazards 2019 (HAZARDS 29). |
Keywords: | VCE, Vapour cloud explosion, vented explosion, bang-box ignition, Buncefield. process safety, explosion relief venting, explosion severity, overpressure, venting explosion, external explosion, risk assessment |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences (Leeds) > School of Chemical & Process Engineering (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 09 Jun 2020 15:25 |
Last Modified: | 29 Mar 2022 14:21 |
Published Version: | https://www.icheme.org/membership/communities/spec... |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | IChemE |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:160394 |