Assessment of the Hazard Zones for Certain Fire Scenarios Using a Numerical Experiment Design
Abstract
This study aims to develop simplified mathematical models for the evaluation of hazard zones belonging to scenarios such as flash fire, jet fire, and BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion). The combinations of parameters at two levels obtained through an experimental design were simulated using the Areal Locations Of Hazardous Atmospheres (ALOHA) software. Statistical analysis using determination coefficient (R2), Akaike information (AIC) and root mean square error (RMSE) revealed that the quadratic model was the best. ANOVA helped assess the significant parameters, and the response surface methodology highlighted the interaction of these parameters. For a flash fire, the coupling of wind speed and discharge hole diameter was the most significant, resulting in a distance of 391 m and 911 m for the red and yellow danger zones. In the case of a jet fire, air temperature and discharge hole diameter were the most significant, generating the impact distances of 47 m, 68 m and 106 m for the red, orange and yellow hazard zones, respectively. Finally, in the case of a BLEVE scenario, the tank filling rate and air temperature generate the significant distances of 445 m, 629 m and 981 m for the red, orange and yellow hazard zones. These results could help to improve the management of future incidents.