Modeling and evaluation of the environmental consequences of fire in atmospheric storage tanks using PHAST software

Rashidi, Sanam; Varshosaz, Katayoon

doi:10.22104/aet.2023.6024.1669

Modeling and evaluation of the environmental consequences of fire in atmospheric storage tanks using PHAST software

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Department of Environmental Management-HSE, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran

10.22104/aet.2023.6024.1669

Abstract

Fires in atmospheric tanks, which are widely used in chemical process industries, are rare. Still, if they occur, they will have irreparable environmental consequences; thus, this study aimed to model and evaluate the environmental consequences of pool fires and determine the area. The restriction was performed due to the presence of a benzene pyrolysis tank. The consequences of accidents regarding an atmospheric storage tank in a petrochemical complex were investigated with PHAST 8.22 software. After qualitative risk assessment, four scenarios were selected in two weather conditions. Consequence modeling was performed using the relevant data, and after analyzing the results of a pool fire, the resulting restricted area was determined. With increasing leak diameter, the consequences of a fire were wider; the restricted area of about 100 meters in scenario S4 was more than in the other scenarios due to the formation of a pool fire in the hot season. The restricted area resulting from the consequence of the pool fire with a delay in scenario S2 in the cold season was also equivalent to the consequence of both types of pool fires in scenario S3 in the hot season and was 88 meters. Atmospheric conditions also affected the consequences of pool fires. The occurrence of a pool fire also affected some of the side reservoirs. Therefore, designing a comprehensive emergency action plan is suggested in which domino events and the reciprocal consequences of disturbed reservoir accidents are examined through outcome assessment.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

Main Subjects

environmental risk assessment

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