Title
Risk reduction in road and rail LPG transportation by passive fire protection
Author
Paltrinieri, N.
Landucci, G.
Molag, M.
Bonvicini, S.
Spadoni, G.
Cozzani, V.
Publication year
2009
Abstract
The potential reduction of risk in LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) road transport due to the adoption of passive fire protections was investigated. Experimental data available for small scale vessels fully engulfed by a fire were extended to real scale road and rail tankers through a finite elements model. The results of mathematical simulations of real scale fire engulfment scenarios that may follow accidents involving LPG tankers proved the effectiveness of the thermal protections in preventing the "fired" BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion) scenario. The presence of a thermal coating greatly increases the "time to failure", providing a time lapse that in the European experience may be considered sufficient to allow the start of effective mitigation actions by fire brigades. The results obtained were used to calculate the expected reduction of individual and societal risk due to LPG transportation in real case scenarios. The analysis confirmed that the introduction of passive fire protections turns out in a significant reduction of risk, up to an order of magnitude in the case of individual risk and of about 50% if the expectation value is considered. Thus, the adoption of passive fire protections, not compulsory in European regulations, may be an effective technical measure for risk reduction, and may contribute to achieve the control of "major accidents hazards" cited by the European legislation. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Subject
Safety
BLEVE
Hazardous materials transportation
Major accident hazard
Quantitative risk analysis
Transportation risk analysis
Boiling liquids
Butane
Fire extinguishers
Fire protection
Gas industry
Laws and legislation
Liquefied petroleum gas
Materials handling
Petroleum transportation
Tankers (ships)
Risk analysis
Accident prevention
Computer simulation
Finite element method
Fire management
Liquefied petroleum gas
LPG
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TNO identifier
241697
Publisher
Elsevier, Amsterdam
ISSN
0304-3894
Source
Journal of Hazardous Materials, 167 (1-3), 332-344
Document type
article