BLEVE in Action - Usmra.com
BLEVE in Action - Usmra.com
BLEVE in Action - Usmra.com
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Boil<strong>in</strong>g Liquid Expand<strong>in</strong>g Vapor ExplosionHeated liquid expands transform<strong>in</strong>grapidly <strong>in</strong>to vapor which <strong>in</strong> turn causesa pressure build up <strong>in</strong>side a closedconta<strong>in</strong>er. If the conta<strong>in</strong>er is notdesigned to hold that pressure thepressure will cause the conta<strong>in</strong>er tofail, releas<strong>in</strong>g all of the vapor <strong>in</strong> 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.<strong>com</strong>.au
When 10 liters of diesel was heated <strong>in</strong> a 205lt drum, the expand<strong>in</strong>g vapor pressurizedthe drum caus<strong>in</strong>g the ends to bulge. Vaporized diesel is forced past the heatdamaged 50mm alum<strong>in</strong>um bung and ignited….
With a sudden and explosive release of high pressure diesel vapor thedrum is propelled <strong>in</strong>to a 360 degree sp<strong>in</strong>, discharg<strong>in</strong>g and mix<strong>in</strong>g it’scontents with air, ignit<strong>in</strong>g and develop<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to a super heated fire ball.
With the drum now rocket<strong>in</strong>g skyward the resultant fire ball is morethan enough to <strong>in</strong>stantly consume an average factory or workshop.
With<strong>in</strong> 4 seconds the expelled vapor has mixed with air, ignitedand reached almost 800oC. The drum still conta<strong>in</strong>s diesel and has<strong>com</strong>e to rest some 20 meters away, though still burn<strong>in</strong>g-the majordamage to property and threat to life has passed <strong>in</strong> the bl<strong>in</strong>k of aneye.
This demonstration was conducted <strong>in</strong> a controlled environment, lifenor property was at risk, even so the images I captured were rare andhighlighted the uncontrollable and unpredictable nature of a Boil<strong>in</strong>gLiquid Expand<strong>in</strong>g Vapor Explosion.For flammable and hazardous liquids storage and handl<strong>in</strong>g solutions,contact John Morley. Chubb Fire Safety. 36 Bannick Court Cann<strong>in</strong>gVale W.A. Ph 08 9229 9919 Mob. 0401 779 846Email. John_morley@chubb.<strong>com</strong>.au