Consequence modeling and analysis of ethanol leakage from storage tank using the ALOHA program

Year 2024, , 49 - 59, 29.10.2024

Sinan Doğan , Müge Ensari Özay

https://doi.org/10.54559/jauist.1552963

Abstract

Chemical spills pose a significant threat to the safety of people living nearby, as well as to air quality and occupational safety. Therefore, preventing chemical spills has become a key issue in environmental protection and process safety. This study aims to evaluate the effects of ethanol released from a tank at a chemical plant in Istanbul, Türkiye. The Areal Location of Hazardous Atmospheres model (ALOHA) version 5.4.7 estimates the storage tank's leakage radius and spread risk under three scenarios. ALOHA can assess the area affected by chemical hazards. The model shows that if the spill occurs 10 centimeters from the base of the tank, the toxic concentration of ethanol exceeds the Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) threshold (i.e., 3300 parts per million) at a distance of 31 meters from the place of release. In addition, when the ethanol concentration exceeds 60% of the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) (i.e., 19800 parts per million), the flammable vapor cloud extends up to 31 meters from the place of release. For a Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE), the mass of the fireball is assumed to be 100%, resulting in the worst possible scenario. During BLEVE, it is estimated that the fireball's diameter and time duration, determined by the amount of Ethanol present, would be 141 meters and 10 seconds, respectively. The results show that the thermal radiation effects caused by Ethanol BLEVE are extremely dangerous.

Keywords

ALOHA, BLEVE, explosion, flammable, toxic

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