Geometry has long been identified as of key importance to understanding the consequence of explosions. Flame speed and explosion pressure strongly depend on the gas cloud and the geometrical conditions. Chris Coffey, Global FLACS Product & Strategic Business Development Manager, explains.
Obstacle generated turbulence
A number of large-scale gas-explosion experimental programmes took place in the 1980s. One programme (GEP 80-86) investigated pressure development due to flame acceleration by obstacle generated turbulence which was identified as primarily responsible for the intensification of explosions occurring in the complex geometries typically found on offshore platforms.
The experimental data from the programme provided new insights about flame acceleration in complex geometries.
It also provided data for the validation of a new CFD code, FLACS (Flame Acceleration Simulator) the forefather of Gexcon’s FLACS-CFD software.
Size matters
The programme identified the importance of capturing small scale congestion within a CFD model.
Gexcon’s best-practice guidance is that all geometrical details down to one inch play an important role in the development of an explosion and should be captured within a CFD model.
Arrangements matter too
How the geometry is arranged is also of critical importance. Lack of symmetry and the presence of non-uniform congestion can result in significant directional effects. If these aspects are not considered when modelling explosions, then the resulting overpressure may be significantly underestimated or over predicted.
The two videos below show the impact of geometry on the development of a vapour cloud explosion. In both videos, an identical mixture of propane-air was ignited in the centre of the cube and the blockage ratio was the same.
The first video shows a high-congestion scenario -the blockage is achieved by a large number of ‘thin’ pipes.
The second video shows a low-congestion scenario – the blockage is achieved by a small number of ‘fat’ pipes.
The difference in the result consequence can clearly be observed. Overpressure for the high congestion is over a factor of 100 higher than the low-congestion case.
FLACS-CFD software has been developed to perform:
- Easy handling of multiple geometry import formats
- Powerful geometry creation and clean up with CASD
- Powerful visualisation within CASD and Flowvis (including lighting and textures)
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