Overpressure Explosions

P2 = back pressure or downstream at outlet of safety relief device, psig, or psia, depending on usage p = rupture pressure for disk, psig or psia p° = overpressure (explosion), lb force/sq in. p = pressure, psi abs... 

The term explosion is best defined as a process that involves a sudden release of energy resulting in a rapid and significant buildup of overpressure. Explosions can be categorized into physical/mechanical and chemical explosions. For example, an explosion caused by a sudden release of compressed gas is a physical explosion. A chemical explosion is caused by a chemical reaction(s), which could be combustion, exothermic decomposition or exothermic reaction. Chemical explosions can occur in gas, liquid or solid phase. Chemical explosions that occur in liquid and solid phases are sometimes called condensed phase explosions. Explosive explosions fall in this category. 

Chapter 3 Explosives Dehnition of Explosion Categories of Explosions Phases of Explosions Mechanical Overpressure Explosions Mechanical/Chemical Explosions Chemical Explosions Dust Explosions Nuclear Explosions Components of an Explosion Types of Explosives... 

A principal parameter characterizing an explosion is the overpressure. Explosion effect modeling generally is based on TNT explosions to calculate the overpressure as a function of distance. Although the effect of a TNT explosion differs from that of a physical or a chemical explosion (particularly in the near-field), the TNT model is the most popular because a large data base exists for... 

The hazard posed can be limited by maintaining a zone free of people and property around a storage area of explosive material. The minimum radius of the zone depends on the type and quantity of explosive, the extent and type of barrica ding, and the magnitude of loss that would be encountered if an explosive incident occurred. The maximum distance to which hazardous explosive effects propagate depends on the blast overpressure created, which as a first approximation is a function of the cube root of the explosive weight, W. This is termed the quantity distance and is defined as... 

An explosion model is used to predict the overpressure resulting from the explosion of a given mass of material. The overpressure is the pressure wave emanating from a explosion. The pressure wave creates most of the damage. The overpressure is calculated using a TNT equivalency technique. The result is dependent on the mass of material and the distance away from the explosion. Suitable correlations are available (2). A detailed discussion of source and consequence models may be found in References 2, 8, and 9. 

Protection against explosions is typically provided by explosion-venting, using panels or membranes which vent an incipient explosion before it can develop dangerous pressures (11,60). Protection from explosions can be provided by isolation, either by distance or barricades. Because of the destmctive effects of explosions, improvement in explosion-prevention instmmentation, control systems, or overpressure protection should receive high priority. 

The Effects of Explosions in the Process Industries, Eoss Prevention bulletin 068, Overpressure Working Party, Major Ha2ards Assessment Panel, Institution of Chemical Engineers, Apr., 1986. 

Set the release pressure of a rupture disk or other vent closure as close to the operating pressure as practical. Note that the maximum overpressure in a vented explosion will exceed the opening pressure of the vent closure. 

A common cause of a BLE T] in plants of the hydrocarbon-chemical industry is exposure to fire. With an external fire below the liquid level in a vessel, the heat of vaporization provides a heat sink, as with a teakettle evolved vapors exit tnrough the relief valve. But if the flame impinges on the vessel above the liquid level, the metal will weaken and may cause the vessel to rupture suddenly, even with the relief valve open. The explosive energy for a BLE T] comes from superheat. This energy is at a maximum at the superheat hmit temperature. (SLT is the maximum temperature to which a hquid can be heated before homogeneous nucleation occurs with explosive vaporization of the hquid and accompanying overpressure.) The SLT... 

Capable of withstanding an explosion overpressure reduced by explosion suppression or explosion venting... 

At such low stresses, there would be no permanent deformation of an ASME code vessel subjected to an explosion overpressure. 

Containment (Explosion-Pressure-Resistant Design for Maximum Explosion Overpressure) An explosion-resistant construction is understood to mean the possibihty of designing vessels and equipment for the full maximum explosion ove (pressure, which is generally of the order P = 9 bar. The explosion-resistant vessel can then be designed as explosion pressure resistant or explosion pressure shock resistant. This protective measure is generally employed when small vessel volumes need to be protected, such as small filter units, fluidized-bed dryers, cyclones, rotaiy valves, or mill housings. 

One has to consider that all connected devices must also withstand the maximum explosion overpressure. 

Bv this method, in general, the expecl ed inherent maximum explosion overpressure of the order P = 7 to 10 bar will be reduced to a value of Pred.max < 2 bai. In this case, the static activation overpressure of the venting device is < 0.1 bar. The resulting P,ed,max i i y not exceed the design pressure of the equipment. The explosion as such is not prevented only the dangerous consequences are limited. However, subsequent fires must be expecl ed. 

Rupture disks or explosion doors may be used as venting devices. Safety valves are not suitable for this purpose. Obviously, the static-activation overpressures Ps at of he venting devices have to be equal to or smaller than the strength of the equipment to be protected (c-orre-sponding to the Pred.max)-... 

The inertia, the opening behavior of the movable cover of the explosion door, and its arrangement (horizontal, vertical) can affect the venting efficiency EF. This results in a higher maximum explosion overpressure Fred,max Iri he protected vessel (see Fig. 26-39). 

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