This workbook uses TNO Multi Energy methodology to calculate overpressures from confined or partially confined Vapour

The results should be used to identify problems and screen out or in for further evaluation by more accurate methods.

For Help contact Rtgowland@aol.com

ined or partially confined Vapour Cloud Explosions.
by more accurate methods.
 Vapour Cloud Explosion Screening for:
Date:
By
Dimensions of the confined or semi-confined Zone which can be filled by a leak of
flammable vapour above its flash point.

Standoff
distance
between
Width Depth Height source and Calculated
Volume
(metres) (metres) (metres) potentially Fuel mass
affected
building
(metres)

10 10 4 400 20 32.56
INPUTS in this row Kg

TNO ME 'Curve' Curve 1 Y Curve 2 Y Curve 3 Y Curve 4 Y Curve 5 Y Curve 6 Y Curve 7 Y Curve 8 Y

Approximate
Predicted Side on
0.007868764 0.0181586867 0.037527953 0.0786876424 0.1452694936 0.41445 0.67545 0.91402
Overpressure at
building (Bar)

Approximate
Predicted Side on
7.87 18.16 37.53 78.69 145.27 414.45 675.45 914.02
Overpressure at
building (mBar)

Standard Brick or
block construction
O.K. O.K. O.K. Not Suitable Not Suitable Not Suitable Not Suitable Not Suitable
without independent
roof support

Conventional
YES NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
Windows allowed?

Overpressure from a Vapour Cloud Explosion Example where leak Floor acting
Occurs below first floor as barrier to
level Vapour cloud
Extent of
explodable cloud
Fraction of Explodable
C-6 C-6
cloud contributing to
Red shaded Zone Overpressure
Volume contributes to
overpressure from
explosion
Fraction of Explodable T-3 Extent of T-3
R-3 R-3
cloud contributing to
Confinemen
Height

Overpressure
t
Leak Leak
P-R3
Width

TNO Multi Energy Curves

In cases where flammable materials are handled above flash point

AND above boiling point.
Can my occupied Building survive an explosion overpressure?

Structure where explosion

Occupied Building
Is theorised
Of concern

R-3

Stand off Distance D

Factors influencing choice of Curve

1 D – Explosion gases free to expand in 1 dimension 2 D – Explosion gases free to expand in 2 dimensions 3 D – Explosion gases free to expand in 3 dimensions

Floor or roof

Sides of structure are solid or partially buried Sides of structure are open Sides of structure are open and no floor
Single direction for expansion or roof above explosion source

Choose the column for the 'Dimension' characteristic of the building where the explosion is modelled. (1D, 2D, or 3D)
Enter the information for your case (Reactivity and Degree of congestion)

Guidance on assigning the reactivity decision

Fundamental Burning
Velocity
Low Reactivity < 45 cm/sec
Medium Reactivity between 45 and 75 cm/sec
High Reactivity > 75 cm/sec

Dimension of expansion zone 1D 2D 3D

Reactivity of fuel (Low 1, Medium 2, High 3) 2
Degree of congestion, (Low 1, Medium 2, High 3) 1
Use Curve No 2 5 2
From NFPA 68

Guidance on selecting for Low reactivity, Medium Reactivity, High Reactivity

Fundamental Burning Velocity
Low Reactivity < 45 cm/sec
Medium Reactivity > 45 cm/sec < 75 cm/sec
High Reactivity > 75 cm/sec

Table C.1(a) Fundamental Burning Velocities of Selected Gases and Vapors

Fundame
Fundamental ntal
Burning Burning
Velocity Velocity
Gas (cm/sec) Gas (cm/sec)
Acetone 54 Ethyl acetate 38
Acetylene 166* Ethylene oxide 108
Acrolein 66 Ethylenimine 46
Acrylonitrile 50 Gasoline (100-octane) 40
Allene (propadiene) 87 n-Heptane 46
Benzene 48 Hexadecane 44
, n-butyl- 37 1,5-Hexadiene 52
,tert.obutyl- 39 n-Hexane 46
,1,2-dimethyl- 37 1-Hexene 50
1,2,4-trimethyl- 39 1-Hexyne 57
1,2-Butadiene (methylallene) 68 3-Hexyne 53
1,3-Butadiene 64 Hydrogen 312 *
2,3-dimethyl- 52 Isopropyl alcohol 41
2-methyl- 55 Isopropylamine 31
n-Butane 45 Jet fuel, grade JP-1 (average) 40
2-cyclopropyl- 47 Jet fuel, grade JP-4 (average) 41
2,2-dimethyl- 42 Methane 40*
2,3-dimethyl- 43 diphenyl- 35
2-methyl- 43 Methyl alcohol 56
2,2,3-trimethyl- 42 1,2-Pentadiene (ethylallene) 61
Butanone 42 cis-1,3-Pentadiene 55
1-Butene 51 trans-1,3-Pentadiene (piperylene)54
2-cyclopropyl- 50 2-methyl-(cis or trans) 46
2,3-dimethyl- 46 1,4-Pentadiene 55
2-ethyl- 46 2,3-Pentadiene 60
2-methyl- 46 n-Pentane, 46
3-methyl- 49 2,2-dimethyl- 41
2,3-dimethyl-2-butene 44 2,3-dimethyl- 43
2-Buten 1-yne (vinylacetylene) 89 2,4-dimethyl- 42
1-Butyne 68 2-methyl- 43
3,3-dimethyl- 56 3-methyl- 43
2-Butyne 61 2,2,4-trimethyl- 41
Carbon disulfide 58 1-Pentene 50
Carbon monoxide 46 2-methyl- 47
Cyclobutane 67 4-methyl- 48
ethyl- 53 cis-2-Pentene 51
isopropyl- 46 1-Pentene 63
methyl- 52 4-methyl- 53
methylene 61 2-Pentyne 61
Cyclohexane 46 4-methyl- 54
methyl- 44 Propane 46*
Cyclopentadiene 46 2-cyclopropyl- 50
Cyclopentane 44 1-deutero- 40
methyl- 42 1-deutero-2-methyl- 40
Cyclopropane 56 2-deutero-2-methyl- 40
cis-1,2-dimethyl- 55 2,2-dimethyl- 39
trans-1,2-dimethyl- 55 2-methyl- 41
ethyl- 56 2-cyclopropyl 53
methyl- 58 2-methyl- 44
1,1,2-trimethyl- 52 Propionaldehyde 58
trans-Decalin (decahydronaphthalene) 36 Propylene oxide (1,2-epoxypropa 82
n-Decane 43 1-Propyne 82
1-Decene 44 Spiropentane 71
Diethyl ether 47 Tetrahydropyran 48
Dimethyl ether 54 Tetralin (tetrahydronaphthalene) 39
Ethane 47 Toluene (methylbenzene) 41
Ethane (ethylene) 80*
*Gases that have been critically examined in [84] or [85] with regard to fundamental burning velocity. Table C.1(b) compares th
ity. Table C.1(b) compares the selected values from these references with those in Table C.1(a).