Effects of Large-Scale LNG/Water RPT Explosions

摘要

When cryogenic liquefied natural gas (LNG) is spilled on water and suddenly heated, one possible result is a kind of explosive boiling caused by the rapid phase transition (RPT) from liquid to gas. This explosive boiling can generate shock waves much like a conventional chemical explosion, which potentially increases the hazards associated with accidental LNG spills on water. RPT explosions with detonation energy equivalents of several kilograms of TNT occurred during large-scale (40-m exp 3 ) spill tests of LNG conducted in 1980 and 1981 by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). The results of these RPT experiments are presented and discussed in regard to their hazardous effects. The shock wave overpressures are discussed as to their damage effects both above and below the surface of the water. The effect of the RPT explosions was to increase the downwind extent of the flammable region. The impact of this effect on the damage potential of the fire is also discussed. 7 references, 12 figures, 3 tables. (ERA citation 10:000218)