The territory faced with technological risks in Algeria: case of the BLEVE phenomenon’s effects related to the transport of hazardous materials

Abstract

The risks associated with the Transport of Hazardous Materials (THMs) are distinguished from other technological risks through their mobile and diverse nature. This is due to the wide variety of substances transported and the territories covered. Therefore, the THMs risk management approach has prompted considerable progress in terms of infrastructure and vehicle safety. However, a residual risk persists, mainly near cities and on highways, where the areas crossed by the flow of hazardous materials present a high vulnerability that needs to be assessed and modelled according to different accident scenarios. The purpose of this study is to estimate the effects of the boiling liquid expanding vapour explosion (BLEVE) phenomenon at a GPL filling centre in El-Eulma, a city in Algeria. For this, the methodology used is based on the use of the preliminary risk analysis (PRA) to determine the hazardous phenomena that may occur. Then, the ALOHA software was used to estimate the consequences of the BLEVE. The obtained results illustrate the severity of the human and material consequences. Accordingly, preventive measures were proposed.

Keywords

• Hazardous materials transportation
• BLEVE
• GPL filling centre
• safety distance