Comparative consequence analysis of the BLEVE phenomena in the context on Land Use Planning; Case study: The Feyzin accident

Several technological accidents have occurred in the oil/gas refining and petrochemical industries, involving large quantities of LPG (Liquefied petroleum Gas), all having in common BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion) phenomena. The new Member States of the European Union have to adopt the Seveso Directives, but after 3 years of membership there is still a gap in the Romanian legislation regarding a specific methodology for the calculation of Land Use Planning (LUP) distances in case of Seveso-type industrial sites. These distances were calculated for a BLEVE event, considering the French, Italian and Austrian LUP methodologies. The results were compared to establish which methodology is more adequate for the development of Romanian LUP methodology. The paper also presents an innovative approach of BLEVE modeling with the purpose to compare the measured consequences of the Feyzin (France) accident with the simulation results obtained using three available BLEVE models: static, dynamic and rupture of vessel. The investigations and simulation results demonstrate the theory that in case of BLEVE the thermal effects of the fireball are more severe than the effects of the blast wave, therefore, the recommended approach is to calculate the heat load from the fireball, using the French LUP threshold limits. (C) 2010 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier BM. All rights reserved.