Experimental Study of Expanded Aluminium Products Efficiency for BLEVE Suppression

Abstract

A boiling liquid expanding vapour explosion is an explosion caused by the rupture of a vessel containing a pressure liquefied gas above its boiling point. When the pressurized liquid is suddenly released from its containment, it will change phase from liquid to vapour violently to produce a BLEVE. Possible effects are blast waves, projectiles and a fireball if flammable. Different technological devices aim to reduce the occurrence and gravity of a BLEVE. Among them, pressure relief valve (aiming to control pressure increase) and thermal insulation (aiming to reduce wall temperature) are commonly used. Expanded aluminium packings are sometimes believed to reduce the risk of a BLEVE, by conducting the heat out of the vapour space wall and convecting it into the vapour and thereby reduce the wall temperature in that area. This technology is promoted by manufacturers, but there is today no proof of its effectiveness. This work aimed to provide experimental data to understand the thermal kinetics of this technology.