Mathematical modeling of cryogenic spills onto quiescent sea waters followed by pool fires of liquefied natural gas (LNG)

• Published in: Applied thermal engineering 2013-09, Vol.59 (1-2), p.587-598
• Main Authors: Esteves, Alan Silva, Reis Parise, José Alberto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Combustion; Cryogenic spills; Emittance; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Fires; Heat transfer; Liquefied natural gas; LNG pool fires; Maritime transportation; Mathematical modeling; Mathematical models; Pool fires; Pools; Theoretical studies. Data and constants. Metering; Vaporization
• ISSN: 1359-4311
• DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2013.06.016

Spill and combustion of a pool as a result of a spreading of liquefied natural gas (LNG) at sea from punctures on carrier hulls is presented. Models from literature combined mechanisms of flow thorough an orifice, formation of a semicircular pool, vaporization of a cryogenic fluid by boiling and pool fire heating, ignition, non-premixed turbulent fire with variation with height of the emissive power of the ‘visible’ plume, burning of fuel along the ‘luminous’ zone (fire base) and radiation emitted by gray gases and soot particles from the combustion zone. A review of the experimental data on vaporization velocity and burning rate is presented. Predictions agreed well with existing experimental data and other models. The model simulated fires from 1 to 5 m diameter holes in vessel geometries of 125,000 and 265,000 m3. Predictions are plausible, and robust enough to be applied in industrial practice. The construction of an LNG terminal involves, among other parameters, the prediction of thermal radiation fields emitted by pool fires. This is to evaluate safe distances to vulnerable resources around the facility. •More than 20 orifice models published since 1969 were reviewed.•Flow parameter adjusted with proxy equations for a∗,max and t*v within 1/3 ≤ ϕ ≤ 30.•Review of experimental of data for vaporization velocities covered since 1978.•The axial emissive power along the fire plume increases with vaporization velocity.•Plume height/diameter ratio of termal plume was nearly insensitive to the scale up of carrier cargo capacity.