The BLEVE hazards in chemical process industry and a new software for its assessment and control

Vessels containing pressure liquefied gases such as liquid petroleum gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), chlorine, ammonia, phosgene, methyl isocyanate, etc, can undergo boiling liquid expanding vapour explosion (BLEVE) if they develop a crack due to mechanical damage or structural weakening as a result of exposure to fire (Khan and Abbasi 1998, a; Lees 2005). BLEVEs are savagely violent explosions in which highly destructive shock-waves, projectiles, and fireballs are generated. If the PLG happens to be non-flammable (such as chlorine or ammonia) there is no fire but, instead, huge masses of toxic substances get hurled in all directions (Abbasi and Abbasi 2006; Abbasi et al 2006).