Numerical simulation of leakage, dispersion and explosion behavior of LPG in kitchen

ABSTRACT

The frequent occurrence of kitchen gas explosion accidents has raised widespread attention to gas safety. This article takes kitchen as the research object, and explores the dispersion law of LPG leakage in kitchens and the influence of ignition at different leakage time on explosion consequences by establishing LPG leakage and explosion models. The results show that the process of LPG leakage in a closed kitchen can be divided into three stages: initial kinetic energy dominant stage, gravity expansion stage, and passive dispersion stage. Propane forms a non-uniform concentration field in the kitchen that gradually decreases from bottom to top, filling the entire kitchen in 583 s. When an explosion occurred in the kitchen center, the initial burst of flame spreads around in a fireball. After 115 ms and 122 ms, the explosion overpressure causes the door and window to be destroyed respectively, and the flames stretch toward the door and window. The flames are then concentrated mainly in the lower area where the fuel is more adequate. In the later stage of the deflagration reaction, the flame propagates toward the upper area of the kitchen under buoyancy. The explosion consequences of LPG non-uniform gas clouds show a pattern of first intensifying and then weakening with the leakage time. The explosion consequences are most severe when ignited about 300 s after the leakage. The maximum explosion overpressures at the center of the kitchen, door, and window were 67.15 kPa, 28.12 kPa, and 27.92 kPa, respectively. The research results can provide reference for emergency response, consequence assessment, and kitchen safety design for kitchen LPG leakage and explosion accidents..

KEYWORDS:

• LPG
• leakage and dispersion
• non-premixed combustion
• numerical simulation
• confined space

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was financially supported by National Key R&D Plan “Internet of Things and Smart City Key Technologies and Demonstration” key special project [2020YFB2103504]; Innovative Talents Team Project of “Six Talents Peaks” in Jiangsu Province[No.TD-JNHB-013]; National Key R&D Program of China [No.2017YFC0805100]; The Natural Science Research Project of Higher Education Institutions of Jiangsu Province [No.20KJB620004]; Open Project of Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Storage and Transportation Technology [No.CDYQCY202104]; Jiangsu Graduate Research and Practice Innovation Project [No.SJCX23_1566; No.SJCX22_1399; SJCX22_1400].

Notes on contributors

Xue Li

Xue Li, Ph.D, Associate Professor, Master’s supervisor, mainly engaged in research on petroleum engineering safety technology.

Yongbin Yu

Yongbin Yu, postgraduate, mainly engaged in research on petrochemical production safety technology and accident emergency management.

Peiwang Li

Peiwang Li, Engineer, mainly engaged in research on the management of public utility tunnels.

Kangxi Wang

Kangxi Wang, Engineer, mainly engaged in research on the management of public utility tunnels.

Jia Li

Jia Li, Engineer, mainly engaged in research on the management of public utility tunnels.

Zhuyi Zhao

Zhuyi Zhao, Engineer, mainly engaged in research on the management of public utility tunnels.

Yanxia Zhang

Yanxia Zhang, postgraduate, mainly engaged in research on oil and gas storage and transportation safety technology and accident emergency response.

Ning Zhou

Ning Zhou, Ph.D, Professor, Doctoral supervisor, mainly engaged in research on oil and gas storage and transportation safety technology and accident emergency management, petrochemical production safety technology and accident emergency management, new energy safety and intelligent safety technology, and hazardous chemical accident monitoring and emergency response technology.

Qing Yin

Qing Yin, postgraduate, mainly engaged in research on oil and gas storage and transportation safety technology and accident emergency response.

Tianxiang Sun

Tianxiang Sun, postgraduate, mainly engaged in research on oil and gas storage and transportation safety technology and accident emergency response.

Xingyi Qian

Xingyi Qian, postgraduate, mainly engaged in research on oil and gas storage and transportation safety technology and accident emergency response.

Chunhai Yang

Chunhai Yang, Ph.D, Associate Professor, mainly engaged in research on industrial safety.

Xuanya Liu

Xuanya Liu, Ph.D, Researche Fellow, mainly engaged in research on oil and gas storage and transportation safety and fire science.