Abstract
It is found that the current levels of safety gaps between the liquefaction modules may be insufficient for the structural arrangement in place. It is thought that a new structural design using circular pipes as the structural elements instead of the I-beams may enhance the integrity of the top-side supporting structures against the impact of potential vapour cloud explosion. The effectiveness of the new structure is demonstrated by comparing it to the conventional supporting structure using I-beam members. This also implies that, by using pipe elements, the safety gaps can be reduced, thus making it possible to optimise the topside arrangement more easily.
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 423-437 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Ocean Engineering |
| Volume | 149 |
| Early online date | 7 Sep 2017 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Feb 2018 |
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Keywords
- FLNG
- risk assessment
- safety
- safety gap
- structural strength
- vapour cloud explosion
- safety evaluation
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Potential risk of vapour cloud explosion in FLNG liquefaction modules. / Park, Sayyoon; Jeong, Byongug; Lee, Byung Suk; Oterkus, Selda; Zhou, Peilin.
In: Ocean Engineering, Vol. 149, 01.02.2018, p. 423-437.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Potential risk of vapour cloud explosion in FLNG liquefaction modules
AU - Park, Sayyoon
AU - Jeong, Byongug
AU - Lee, Byung Suk
AU - Oterkus, Selda
AU - Zhou, Peilin
PY - 2018/2/1
Y1 - 2018/2/1
N2 - Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels have been in operation for four decades and there are now well over 250 vessels in existence, but their gas equivalent floating liquid natural gas plants kwon as FLNGs are still very new. Consequently designs and arrangement of top-side process units are still evolving and their safety has yet to be fully and objectively evaluated. This paper explores the probability of occurrence of accidents leading to vapour cloud explosion at one of the topside liquefaction modules of an FLNG. The worst possible scenario with the maximum tolerable probability is identified and the impact of the corresponding vapour cloud explosion is estimated. The strength of the structures supporting the neighbouring modules was examined using finite element analysis to determine if the accident has a potential of escalating to neighbouring modules.It is found that the current levels of safety gaps between the liquefaction modules may be insufficient for the structural arrangement in place. It is thought that a new structural design using circular pipes as the structural elements instead of the I-beams may enhance the integrity of the top-side supporting structures against the impact of potential vapour cloud explosion. The effectiveness of the new structure is demonstrated by comparing it to the conventional supporting structure using I-beam members. This also implies that, by using pipe elements, the safety gaps can be reduced, thus making it possible to optimise the topside arrangement more easily.
AB - Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels have been in operation for four decades and there are now well over 250 vessels in existence, but their gas equivalent floating liquid natural gas plants kwon as FLNGs are still very new. Consequently designs and arrangement of top-side process units are still evolving and their safety has yet to be fully and objectively evaluated. This paper explores the probability of occurrence of accidents leading to vapour cloud explosion at one of the topside liquefaction modules of an FLNG. The worst possible scenario with the maximum tolerable probability is identified and the impact of the corresponding vapour cloud explosion is estimated. The strength of the structures supporting the neighbouring modules was examined using finite element analysis to determine if the accident has a potential of escalating to neighbouring modules.It is found that the current levels of safety gaps between the liquefaction modules may be insufficient for the structural arrangement in place. It is thought that a new structural design using circular pipes as the structural elements instead of the I-beams may enhance the integrity of the top-side supporting structures against the impact of potential vapour cloud explosion. The effectiveness of the new structure is demonstrated by comparing it to the conventional supporting structure using I-beam members. This also implies that, by using pipe elements, the safety gaps can be reduced, thus making it possible to optimise the topside arrangement more easily.
KW - FLNG
KW - risk assessment
KW - safety
KW - safety gap
KW - structural strength
KW - vapour cloud explosion
KW - safety evaluation
UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/ocean-engineering
U2 - 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2017.08.032
DO - 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2017.08.032
M3 - Article
VL - 149
SP - 423
EP - 437
JO - Ocean Engineering
T2 - Ocean Engineering
JF - Ocean Engineering
SN - 0029-8018
ER -