Quantitative consequence analysis using Sedov-Taylor blast wave model. Part I: Model description and validation

Abstract BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion) phenomenon is one of the major industrial accidents observed in gas processing industry, which remains a major concern for risk decision-makers. BLEVE blast wave mechanism has been widely studied by several authors who proposed simplified approaches based on simple physical models or empirical correlations, but only few approaches including analytical solutions have been undertaken. Moreover, the simplified and empirical approaches are not very satisfactory because they overestimate overpressure measures. In this paper (Part I), an analytical model based on Sedov-Taylor blast wave solution and self-similar theory, which is of great interest in various fields of physics, is proposed for estimating BLEVE overpressure effects. The parameters characterizing the blast wave evolution (overpressure, radius and velocity) are established by applying the Vashy-Buckingham theorem (Pi theorem). To demonstrate the ability of the proposed model to deliver reliable predictions, a validation with large and medium-scale BLEVE experiments issued from the literature is carried out. Furthermore, a comparison with the TNT equivalent model and other models (empirical and simplified physical) is performed. The results of these comparisons are very encouraging and show good agreement in terms of precision. This is Part I of two papers, focusing on description and validation of the Sedov-Taylor blast wave model. Part II deals with application of the model on a LPG accumulator in an Algerian gas processing unit.