Study on the potential risks under a hazardous gas leakage accident: effects of source characteristics and ambient wind velocities

In this study, a full-scale storage tank was established to investigate the potential risks of leakage accident. We have developed a series of leak scenarios that close to real accidents and have divided the ambient areas according to relevant regulations. Considering the variety and complexity of real-life accident scenarios, the presented work revealed the combined effect of source release intensity and ambient wind speed on dispersion features by classifying leakage scenarios into active or passive release. The environmental hazards in each area is evaluated under various leak scenarios. The results show that when the approaching wind speed is low, the leakage on the windward side is the most dangerous release pattern. With the increase of the wind speed, the case with jet angle perpendicular to the incoming wind produces the largest cloud volume. Top release is the least dangerous way among the studied leak scenarios. However, the results illustrate that under some release angles, the cloud volume near the tank is not sensitive to wind speed. In leak accidents, quantitatively analysis reveals that the commonly used dimensionless concentrations (K-c) cannot be used as a suitable parameter to discuss the concentration field except under top/leeward passive release conditions. This study will be beneficial to on-site rescue and decision-making when leakage accidents occur and provide reasonable suggestions for subsequent research on the environmental impact of container leakage and the diffusion of pollutants.

Automated summary

This study established a full-scale storage tank to investigate the potential risks of leakage accidents. Leakage scenarios close to real accidents were developed, and the ambient areas were divided according to regulations. The results showed that the combined effect of source release intensity and ambient wind speed influenced dispersion features. The study also evaluated environmental hazards under various leak scenarios.