BLEVE in Action - Usmra.com

Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor ExplosionHeated liquid expands transformingrapidly into vapor which in turn causesa pressure build up inside a closedcontainer. If the container is notdesigned to hold that pressure thepressure will cause the container tofail, releasing all of the vapor in theform of an explosion. If the vaporizedliquid is flammable and mixeswith air it can easily be ignited by anignition source.Chubb Fire SafetyPh John MorleyPerth W.A.08 9229 9919Email. John_morley@chubb.com.au

When 10 liters of diesel was heated in a 205lt drum, the expanding vapor pressurizedthe drum causing the ends to bulge. Vaporized diesel is forced past the heatdamaged 50mm aluminum bung and ignited….

With a sudden and explosive release of high pressure diesel vapor thedrum is propelled into a 360 degree spin, discharging and mixing it’scontents with air, igniting and developing into a super heated fire ball.

With the drum now rocketing skyward the resultant fire ball is morethan enough to instantly consume an average factory or workshop.

Within 4 seconds the expelled vapor has mixed with air, ignitedand reached almost 800oC. The drum still contains diesel and hascome to rest some 20 meters away, though still burning-the majordamage to property and threat to life has passed in the blink of aneye.

This demonstration was conducted in a controlled environment, lifenor property was at risk, even so the images I captured were rare andhighlighted the uncontrollable and unpredictable nature of a BoilingLiquid Expanding Vapor Explosion.For flammable and hazardous liquids storage and handling solutions,contact John Morley. Chubb Fire Safety. 36 Bannick Court CanningVale W.A. Ph 08 9229 9919 Mob. 0401 779 846Email. John_morley@chubb.com.au