A review of large-scale LNG spills: Experiments and modeling

Consequence Analysis of Large-Scale Liquefied Natural Gas Spills on Water

“…As will be shown in Fig. 1 later, existing experimental data on LNG spill dynamics, dispersion, and burning over water cover only small amount of spill volumes that are two to three orders of magnitude less than those postulated in the recent literature (Luketa-Hanlin, 2006).…”

“…In reference to recent review papers (Luketa-Hanlin, 2006;Koopman & Ermak, 2007;Raj, 2007), only the largest spill volume tests are outlined chronologically in the following. In 1973, the Esso Research and Engineering Company and the American Petroleum Institute carried out LNG dispersion tests in Matagorda Bay, Texas (Feldbauer et al, 1972).…”

“…In spite of the complete double hull structure in reality, the orifice model is widely used even in the recent literature on consequence assessment (Luketa-Hanlin, 2006). Since this model assumes release from a single hole on the side of a ship with single hull structure, LNG flows directly from a tank onto the seawater without any leakage into the space between hulls.…”

“…LNG is known as a clean burning fuel, but significant smoke production is expected for large LNG pool fires (Luketa-Hanlin, 2006). This will tend to obscure the flame and reduce the thermal radiation emitted from the fire.…”

“…The present study assumes that a single, coherent pool fire can be maintained for a very large pool diameter. However, this assumption may not be appropriate due to the inability of air to reach the interior of a fire and maintain combustion over such a large LNG pool (Luketa-Hanlin, 2006). Instead, the flame envelope would break up into several smaller, shorter flames at some very large size due to the environmental conditions, such as wind, waves and currents.…”