An experimental set-up study accidental industrial LPG releases

Patrick Bonnet (1) , Jean-Marc Lacome (1)

1 INERIS - Institut National de l'Environnement Industriel et des Risques

The objective of the atmospheric dispersion research project of the INERIS is to develop models of flashing releases as encountered in realistic industrial environments. Equivalent source models exist for flashing release in current long rang dispersion models. Several factors can, however, invalidate simplified equivalent source models, especially in the very near field where obstacles can be found. To perform his project objective, the INERIS takes part in a European project called FLIE (Flashing Liquids in Industrial Environment) and also works on a project supported by the French ministry of the environment. In FLIE project, INERIS carries out large-scale trials of propane and butane releases. The French part of the project is to develop a tool able to evaluate the gas and the liquid fraction (aerosol part and liquid pool) in the near field of the flashing release. This INERIS paper aims to present the large scale experimental set-up and the main current results. The experimental set-up is located in the INERIS site. It allows to perform propane and butane liquid releases at ambient temperature with a regulated pressure from the saturation pressure to 15 bar with an orifice (circular or rectangular shape) of an equivalent diameter from 10 mm to 25 mm. It is possible to realise free jets but also impinging jet by introducing obstacle at a maximum distance of 2 meters from the release point. During releases, several parameters are recorded : - Ambiant conditions : direction and speed of the wind, temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure. - Release tank : pressure (the regulation of the pressure is possible), temperature at several heights in the tank and at the liquid /gas interface, weight of the tank. - Release point : pressure and temperature. - In the jet : a Dual Phase Doppler Anemometer allows to measure speed and size of particle aerosol at several locations in the jet.

Domaines: Sciences de l'ingénieur [physics]

Patrick Bonnet, Jean-Marc Lacome. An experimental set-up study accidental industrial LPG releases. International Conference "Bhopal gas tragedy and its effects on process safety", Dec 2004, Kanpur, India. pp.116-117. ⟨ineris-00972479⟩