Detonation Containment Vessel Design 2

[GIBSTJEAN]

I'm currently trying to validate a Pressure Vessel for use as a blast containment vessel for tubes under reasonably high pressure and temperature (1885 psig @ 600°F) in an R&D test application. There is a fair amount of literature on equating the energy produced by a BLEVE (Boiling-Liquid Expanding-Vapour Explosion) to an equivalent charge of TNT but following that is where I'm getting stuck. I can calculate the energy released when the tube bursts, however, it seems like all the research and literature I can find quantifies the effect of that blast as it pertains to open-air explosions and the associated Shock Wave that is generated from the BLEVE. Scaled distances are greater than I'm dealing with and Side-On overpressure is much lower than I would expect in a confined space. For instance 10 psi Over-Pressure equates to complete destruction of buildings.

I need to take the energy that is released from the BLEVE (approaching 1 MJ) and equate it to an equivalent static pressure on the vessel interior (ID 21").

Can any one point to some decent regulations, papers or texts that deal specifically with the containments of detonations in small confined spaces, preferably Steel Pressure Vessels?

Thanks in advance,

Gib

 

[unclesyd]

I would checkout the papers at this meeting, may not be exactly what you need but could give you some clues as to a direction. I have attended several meetings concerning detonations and high energy fast explosions(Deflagrations), The latter could have fooled me on several occasions.

Our biggest problem was a detonation or BLEVE involving Dowtherm or Therminol. This was covered by a professor from Sweden and our corporate Safety Department. This professor was the expert on damage and he scared the hell out of everybody when he showed that the vapor from 8 oz of Therminol could level the five story building where it was used. There was no possibility of containment, only
prevention would save us. We have had 2 detonations of vessels that contained and confined Therminol, both were utterly destroyed.

There has been quite a bit of work on air oxidation's of lighter hydrocarbons over catalyst. There is/was a major concern that a detonation is possible high energy fast explosions. We don't try to contain it we try to vent it. The rupture disks are reverse buckling knife edge configuration.

We have process where we oxidize organics with HNO3. When this reaction runs away the resultant explosion has all the earmarks of a detonation, but the experts say no. An explosion in pipe will lay the pipe flat with no shear lips on the break and drive it into the floor where the brick pattern is embossed. There are two vessels on each unit that are supposed to slow the process down so it can dump to a quench tank.

http://www.intdetsymp.org/detsymp2010/default.aspx

Some references in these papers. The second paper may have what you need.

http://ukelg.ps.ic.ac.uk/41HJ1.pdf

http://www.nd.edu/~powers/paper.list/pfa.1992.pdf

They have closed our big library and none of the papers and presentations are available.

 

[Aconnell]

Hi Gib,

You may want to check out the following research council bulletin's which you can order online,

WRC Bulletin 477 "Design of Pressure Vessels for High Strain Rate Loading: Dynamic Pressure and Failure Criteria"

WRC Bulletin 494 "Fracture-Safe and Fatigue Design Criteria for Detonation-Induced Pressure Loading in Containment Vessels"

Hope this helps,

Alex

 

[eadwine]

Safely handling of Conflagrations and Deflagrations is an art unto self. Depending on the materials involved, one can experience instataneous pressure rises and or temp. rises. Which can and will result in catastrophic failure and injury and death.

This is not something you want to research and install on your own, especially, on the Internet. Contact an experienced company in the field of "Conflagration/Deflagration" Control. Like
Fike Rupture Disks. They have one of the World's Largest R&D Centers for this type of work.