Consequence Analysis of BLEVE Scenario in the Propane Tank: ACase Study at Bandar Abbas Gas Condensate Refinery of Iran

The occurrence of incidents resulting from chemical releases requires preparatory measures. Despite special layers of protection in chemicalindustries to avoid such releases and subsequent consequences, human errors still occur and negatively contribute to failures in different activities include maintenance practices and operating control and so on. It is proven that one of the most devastating risk in the oil and gas companies is explosion, particularly BLEVE. Thus, the study of this phenomena and analysis of its consequences at various stages is necessary. Recent studies claimed that the predictionof damaging effectafter the explosion by mathematical models is necessary for its effective management. For this reason, we aim to analysis the consequence of BLEVE in high pressurized propane vessel (V- 3001/A) in order to be well prepared for further emergency activities and also implement further modifications. There are numerous software presented to model the consequences of chemical substances releases (Such as PHAST, ALOHA, SLAB, DEGADIS). Because of validation of modelling capabilities and a particular consideration of PHAST software for vessels’ explosion, this software has been adapted to analysis BLEVE phenomena and its consequences in the Bandar Abbas condensate refinery of Iran. At first, expert team, including maintenance, plant, process, safety engineers and relevant operators held several meetings in order to define BLEVE scenario. Note to process flow diagram and design detail, the process parameters of propane storage tank (including; mass, volume, temperature, pressure, and so on) applied in the PHAST software (Version 6.7). In this model, the most dominant climatic condition in Bandar Abbas city has been defined (temperature, 42oC, relative humidity, 90%, wind speed, 3.5 m/s). Finally, estimated losses caused by explosion wave in nearby facilities such as pumps, compressors, gas turbines, pipelines, spherical and cylindrical tanks have been assessed. The results of this study demonstrated that some of the surrounding facilities will be suffering from BLEVE’s overpressure wave, while most of themwill be free from any damage (Blast wave pressure <0.1 psi). Thus, the authors recommended that protective wall around pipelines need to build to deter the imposed pressure. In addition, the dislocationof several cylindrical tanks would be helpful. Finally, we suggest that chain effects, radiation analysis, shock waves, and the effectiveness of corrective measures would be helpful for further study.