Post-accident analysis of vapour cloud explosions in fuel storage areas

Abstract

A Vapour cloud explosion which occurred in a large fuel storage area close to the harbour of Naples (Italy) was analysed by different methods. Useful 'experimental data' were obtained by the post-accident damage analysis (minimum overpressure experienced by different items) and by the seismograms recorded at different stations at the time of explosion (explosion duration and intensity). The analysis of the seismic data allowed a first estimate of the amount of vaporized fuel. A more accurate estimate was obtained by modelling the rate of evaporation of the liquid fuel and the vapour cloud dispersion in the surrounding atmosphere. The dispersion calculation furnished the input data for the CFD gas explosion simulator AutoReagas and constituted the basis for a sensitivity analysis of the results to the amount of fuel involved in the explosion. The results obtained with the different methods above were critically discussed and compared to the results obtained with the Multi-Energy method. © Institution of Chemical Engineers.