TY - JOUR
T1 - Analysis of fuel storage tanks under internal deflagrations with different venting technologies
T2 - an experimental and numerical study
AU - Hernandez, Francisco
AU - Carcamo, Luis
AU - Hao, Hong
AU - Zhang, Xihong
AU - Contreras, Nicolas
AU - Astroza, Rodrigo
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024
PY - 2025/1
Y1 - 2025/1
N2 - This study investigates small-scale fuel storage tanks subjected to internal methane-air explosions, focusing on three depressurization technologies using roof ventilation to mitigate overpressure and damage. Tests with low methane-air concentrations were conducted to generate a pseudo-static internal pressure. This approach minimized scale effects and aligned internal pressure frequency with real-scale tank behavior during deflagrations. The first prototype features a tank with a frangible roof activated by localized brittle failure of stitch welds around the roof-to-shell junction. This confirms that stitched weld patterns ensure controlled brittle failure with activation pressure estimated by a simplified equation. The second technology employs a sequential ventilation strategy, starting with a small hinged panel followed by stitch weld failure, managing low to medium-intensity explosions with the small vent alone, and allowing rapid operational recovery. In severe explosions, the hinged door facilitates earlier activation of the frangible roof, reducing the initial pressure rise rate and controlling the roof opening direction. Lastly, the study explores tanks with commercial explosion vent panels as an alternative to traditional frangible roofs, offering a practical solution for retrofitting existing tanks. Each technology enhances safety in fuel storage facilities by effectively managing internal pressures during explosive events.
AB - This study investigates small-scale fuel storage tanks subjected to internal methane-air explosions, focusing on three depressurization technologies using roof ventilation to mitigate overpressure and damage. Tests with low methane-air concentrations were conducted to generate a pseudo-static internal pressure. This approach minimized scale effects and aligned internal pressure frequency with real-scale tank behavior during deflagrations. The first prototype features a tank with a frangible roof activated by localized brittle failure of stitch welds around the roof-to-shell junction. This confirms that stitched weld patterns ensure controlled brittle failure with activation pressure estimated by a simplified equation. The second technology employs a sequential ventilation strategy, starting with a small hinged panel followed by stitch weld failure, managing low to medium-intensity explosions with the small vent alone, and allowing rapid operational recovery. In severe explosions, the hinged door facilitates earlier activation of the frangible roof, reducing the initial pressure rise rate and controlling the roof opening direction. Lastly, the study explores tanks with commercial explosion vent panels as an alternative to traditional frangible roofs, offering a practical solution for retrofitting existing tanks. Each technology enhances safety in fuel storage facilities by effectively managing internal pressures during explosive events.
KW - Blast Testing
KW - Finite Element Simulation
KW - Fuel Storage Tank
KW - Progressive Ventilation System
KW - Simplified Equations
KW - Stitch Welded Roof-to-Shell Junction
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85206815738&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2024.108948
DO - 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2024.108948
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85206815738
SN - 1350-6307
VL - 167
JO - Engineering Failure Analysis
JF - Engineering Failure Analysis
M1 - 108948
ER -