Influence of environmental wind on LPG leakage dispersion from spherical tanks with a safety wall

doi:10.16265/j.cnki.issn1003-3033.2026.09.0331

Abstract

Abstract:

To investigate wind effects on the leakage dispersion of LPG in a spherical tank farm with a safety wall, a three-dimensional model was developed using the FLACS. Based on typical leakage scenarios in an actual spherical tank farm, different wind directions and wind speeds were considered, and the dispersion and accumulation processes of LPG vapor clouds inside and outside the safety wall were simulated. The evolution characteristics of hazardous areas were analyzed based on maximum dispersion distance, LPG volume fraction distribution in typical regions, and temporal variation of the equivalent flammable vapor cloud volume. The results show that the LPG dispersion process is initially dominated by the momentum of the leakage jet and gradually transitions to being controlled by the environmental wind field. The coupling effects of the safety wall and environmental wind significantly influence the dispersion pathway, LPG volume fraction distribution, and hazardous area evolution of the vapor cloud. Under upwind conditions, the axial transport capacity of the vapor cloud is weakened by the environmental wind, and gas cloud recirculation and accumulation are induced near the inner side of the safety wall. Consequently, a higher explosion hazard potential is observed compared with that under downwind and crosswind conditions. Under upwind conditions, the most significant accumulation occurs at a low wind speed of approximately 2 m/s, where the equivalent flammable vapor cloud volume reaches the maximum value among all simulated cases. With increasing wind speed, enhanced turbulent mixing and dilution effects promote vapor cloud dispersion, resulting in an overall reduction in the dispersion range and equivalent flammable vapor cloud volume. The results provide a theoretical basis for identifying unfavorable wind conditions and optimizing safety protection measures in LPG spherical tank areas.

Key words: safety wall, environmental wind, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) spherical storage tank, leakage dispersion, FLACS numerical simulation

CLC Number:

X937

Huang Yuanjie, Lin Dong, Han Linxu, Zhang Dina, Yang Guoliang, Zhai Xu. Influence of environmental wind on LPG leakage dispersion from spherical tanks with a safety wall[J]. China Safety Science Journal, 2026, 36(9): 136-146.

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泄漏场景	范围	代表值
小孔泄漏	(0, 5]	5
中孔泄漏	(5, 50]	25
大孔泄漏	(50, 100]	100
完全破裂	(100, +∞)	①设备(设施)完全破裂或泄漏孔径>150;②全部存量瞬时释放