Assessment of Fire Hazards and Mitigation Methods in Locomotive Fuel Tanks

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Basant K. Parida ◽  
James Carter ◽  
Abdullatif K. Zaouk ◽  
John Punwani
Keyword(s):  
Diesel Fuel ◽  
Fire Hazard ◽  
Normal Operation ◽  
Vapor Concentration ◽  
Potential Hazard ◽  
Partial Recovery ◽  
Fire Hazards ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
Fuel Loss ◽  
Fuel Tanks

Diesel fuel carriage in locomotives, while safe in normal operational conditions, presents a potential hazard in the event of serious accident or derailment. Development of an effective mitigation method against this hazard requires an understanding of operational conditions that lead to fuel spill and fire. This paper describes a study of fire hazard stemming from rail accidents and potential approaches to mitigation. Data for the study was obtained from a large sample of National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation reports for accidents involving both freight and passenger locomotive accidents over a 10-year period. Approximately 25% of the events reviewed resulted in fuel release. In addition, of the events that resulted in fuel loss, a large majority (almost 70%) resulted in fire. Most cases with major fires led to loss of life and/or property, including destruction of multiple locomotives. Typical road locomotives carry 3,000–4,500 gallons of diesel fuel during normal operation. As the locomotive consumes fuel, large volumes are available for vapor generation within the tank. In a post-collision scenario, the vapor that vents to the atmosphere at temperatures close to flash point of the fuel presents a significant fire hazard. Further, flammable mists can be generated by the sprays that develop due to fuel leaks from the post-impact movement of a train. Previous laboratory tests on a scaled tank demonstrated that fire in a fuel-rich vapor can flash back inside the tank causing an explosion or a large fire. This paper also assesses potential technologies to prevent or mitigate fire hazards in locomotive fuel tanks. These include fuel tank leak prevention or reduction of outflow from breached fuel tanks, monitoring vapor concentration within fuel tanks, and limiting vapor concentrations inside tank to maintain levels below the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL). Potential benefits of the latter method include minimization of pollution from escaping vapor as well as partial recovery of reusable fuel from vapor.

Computer Simulation and Validation of Fire Hazards in Fuel Tanks

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Carter ◽  
Timothy Harrigan ◽  
S. K. Punwani
Keyword(s):  
Diesel Fuel ◽  
Laboratory Testing ◽  
Fire Hazard ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Fuel Tank ◽  
Normal Operation ◽  
Explosion Hazard ◽  
Fuel Temperature ◽  
Material Transport ◽  
Two Phase

Flammable materials such as gasoline, ethanol, and diesel fuel are commonly transported in bulk via rail. In many cases, pockets of vapor can be generated inside the tank that can present a hazard if spilled during a collision or other catastrophic accident. Vapor conditions above the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) if exposed to an external ignition source can result in an explosion or fire. Alternately, residual vapors within a tank present an explosion hazard if not properly vented or inerted prior to maintenance activities. This paper summarizes a generalized study of hazards associated with flammable liquids using computation fluid dynamics (CFD) to predict vapor conditions within a tank or following a spill. The analysis was verified in laboratory testing using scaled tank geometries. A demonstration case was developed using diesel fuel in a locomotive fuel tank. Typical road locomotives carry 3000–5000 gal of diesel fuel during normal operation. As the locomotive consumes fuel, large volumes are available for vapor generation within the tank. In a post-collision scenario, under ambient temperatures over the flash point of the fuel, the vapor that vents to the atmosphere presents a significant fire hazard. Further, flammable mists can be generated by the sprays that develop due to fuel leaks from a moving train. Studies of accident cases over a 10 year period indicated that a fire occurred in 80% of the accidents in which fuel was spilled. A CFD analysis was applied to the geometry associated with a locomotive fuel tank. The analysis models the two phase flow using the “volume of fluid” formalism in Fluent, and using a user defined diesel fuel evaporation algorithm. The tank and environmental parameters included fuel volume, fuel temperature, and air flow within the tank, and critical values of vapor content, temperature and velocity were plotted. The analysis predicted ignition of the external vapor cloud at temperatures relevant to a spill in a summer environment in the southwest, and propagation of the flame into the fuel tank. Laboratory testing confirmed the analysis: Once ignited, a flame propagated into the tank, causing an explosion and fire. The analysis methods developed can be applied to a variety of geometries and fluids, providing a basis for full scale testing. The overall intent of the analysis is to aid in the development of fire mitigation approaches for fuel and flammable material transport that would be practical for railroad use.

scholarly journals Bridge Damage Detection Approach Using a Roving Camera Technique

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darragh Lydon ◽  
Myra Lydon ◽  
Rolands Kromanis ◽  
Chuan-Zhi Dong ◽  
Necati Catbas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Normal Operation ◽  
Laboratory Model ◽  
Traffic Patterns ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
Bridge Model ◽  
Detection Approach ◽  
Bridge Damage ◽  
Computer Vision Technology ◽  
Climate Events

Increasing extreme climate events, intensifying traffic patterns and long-term underinvestment have led to the escalated deterioration of bridges within our road and rail transport networks. Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems provide a means of objectively capturing and quantifying deterioration under operational conditions. Computer vision technology has gained considerable attention in the field of SHM due to its ability to obtain displacement data using non-contact methods at long distances. Additionally, it provides a low cost, rapid instrumentation solution with low interference to the normal operation of structures. However, even in the case of a medium span bridge, the need for many cameras to capture the global response can be cost-prohibitive. This research proposes a roving camera technique to capture a complete derivation of the response of a laboratory model bridge under live loading, in order to identify bridge damage. Displacement is identified as a suitable damage indicator, and two methods are used to assess the magnitude of the change in global displacement under changing boundary conditions in the laboratory bridge model. From this study, it is established that either approach could detect damage in the simulation model, providing an SHM solution that negates the requirement for complex sensor installations.

scholarly journals Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 5369
Author(s):  
Rajesh Khatakho ◽  
Dipendra Gautam ◽  
Komal Raj Aryal ◽  
Vishnu Prasad Pandey ◽  
Rajesh Rupakhety ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Natural Hazards ◽  
Fire Hazard ◽  
Central Valley ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Kathmandu Valley ◽  
Fire Hazards ◽  
Hazard Risk ◽  
Urban Fire ◽  
Hazard Risk Assessment

Natural hazards are complex phenomena that can occur independently, simultaneously, or in a series as cascading events. For any particular region, numerous single hazard maps may not necessarily provide all information regarding impending hazards to the stakeholders for preparedness and planning. A multi-hazard map furnishes composite illustration of the natural hazards of varying magnitude, frequency, and spatial distribution. Thus, multi-hazard risk assessment is performed to depict the holistic natural hazards scenario of any particular region. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, multi-hazard risk assessments are rarely conducted in Nepal although multiple natural hazards strike the country almost every year. In this study, floods, landslides, earthquakes, and urban fire hazards are used to assess multi-hazard risk in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), which is then integrated with the Geographical Information System (GIS). First, flood, landslide, earthquake, and urban fire hazard assessments are performed individually and then superimposed to obtain multi-hazard risk. Multi-hazard risk assessment of Kathmandu Valley is performed by pair-wise comparison of the four natural hazards. The sum of observations concludes that densely populated areas, old settlements, and the central valley have high to very high level of multi-hazard risk.

Fire Hazard Factors of Residential-Commercial Composite Buildings through Fire Hazard Cases

2012 ◽  
Vol 468-471 ◽  
pp. 1753-1757
Author(s):  
Yang Wei Shao ◽  
Shih Feng Kao ◽  
Neng Chun Yu ◽  
Yu Shiang Wu ◽  
Chi Jan Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Issues ◽  
Fire Hazard ◽  
Professional Knowledge ◽  
Social Costs ◽  
Fire Prevention ◽  
Dense Population ◽  
Fire Hazards ◽  
Expert Review ◽  
Emergency Exit ◽  
In Fire

Although meeting the regulations of the time, early buildings are prone to fire hazards, such as damages to the fire zones, changes of floor entrances and exits, locked emergency exit doors, blocking of entrances and exits by vehicles, increased fire sources, dense population in the buildings, due to insufficient professional knowledge and technology in fire prevention. Once a fire occurs, it can result in major casualties, serious loss of social costs, as well as environmental and social issues. This study investigated 17 major fire cases occurring in residential-commercial composite buildings in the last 20 years in Taiwan. The fire hazard factors were determined based on expert review. The findings can serve as a reference for fire agencies in promoting fire prevention.

Study of the influence of overvoltage on the quality of electricity in energy systems.

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 52-58
Author(s):  
S. SKRYPNYK ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Power Supply ◽  
Fire Hazard ◽  
Lightning Discharge ◽  
Quality Standard ◽  
Normal Operation ◽  
Electrical Network ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Electrical Networks ◽  
The World

Our world with its high technologies has long been deeply dependent on the quality of electricity supply. In most countries of the world there are national power grids that combine the entire set of generating capacity and loads. This network provides the operation of household appliances, lighting, heating, refrigeration, air conditioning and transport, as well as the functioning of the state apparatus, industry, finance, trade, health services and utilities across the country. Without this utility, namely electricity, the modern world simply could not live at its current pace. Sophisticated technological improvements are firmly rooted in our lives and workplaces, and with the advent of e-commerce began the process of continuous transformation of the way individuals interact with the rest of the world. But with the achievement of intelligent technologies, an uninterrupted power supply is required, the parameters of which exactly meet the established standards. These standards maintain our energy security and create a reliable power system, that is maintaining the system in a trouble-free state. Overvoltage is the deviation of the rated voltage from the value of the corresponding quality standard (frequency, sinusoidal voltage and compliance of harmonics). Overvoltage in terms of fire hazard is one of the most dangerous emergency modes of electrical equipment, which causes conditions that in most cases are sufficient for the occurrence of fire hazards (exceeding the allowable voltage leads to disruption of normal operation or possible ignition). Against the background of deteriorating engineering systems, increased power consumption and poor maintenance, power supply of electrical installations, the main causes of overvoltage in electrical networks are thunderstorms (atmospheric overvoltage), switching switches, uneven phase load in electrical networks, etc. The physical picture of internal overvoltage is due to oscillatory transients from the initial to the established voltage distributions in the conductive sections due to the different situation in the electrical circuit. In the conditions of operation of electric networks planned, mode or emergency situations are possible. Therefore, the ranges of overvoltage are determined by the range from several hundred volts to tens and hundreds of kilovolts, and depend on the types of overvoltage. Atmospheric overvoltage is considered to be one of the most dangerous types of emergency modes of operation of the electrical network. This overvoltage occurs as a result of lightning discharge during precipitation by concentrating electricity on the surface of the object, the introduction of potential through engineering networks and

scholarly journals SOCIALIZATION OF FIRE MITIGATION IN DENSELY POPULATED AREA AT JATI SAMPURNA, BEKASI

ICCD ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 616-617
Author(s):  
Anjas Handayani
Keyword(s):  
Fire Hazard ◽  
Hazard Mitigation ◽  
Fire Risk ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Populated Area ◽  
Fire Hazards ◽  
Fire Victims ◽  
Fire Mitigation ◽  
Special Rules ◽  
The City

During the first quarter of 2019, from January to March 2019 there were 45 fire incidents in the city of Bekasi with losses ranging from Rp. 2,365,000,000 (based on data from the Bekasi City fire dept Service). From 45 events in the city of Bekasi, 3 of them occurred in Jatisampurna sub-district. Based on the type of object 45 events 15 of which are residential houses.With the data above, it can be said that the risk of fire can cause material and immaterial losses and can also cause trauma to fire victims. The importance of knowledge and information on fire hazard mitigation and how mitigation measures against fire hazards need to be conveyed to people who live in densely populated areas where the risk of fire is quite large. Laws or regulations on fire are not yet widely owned by most regions, so there are no special rules that can be covered in relation to fire risk.

scholarly journals The risk of static electricity at handling diesel fuel

2021 ◽  
Vol 343 ◽  
pp. 10013
Author(s):  
Mihaela Părăian ◽  
Emilian Ghicioi ◽  
Niculina Vătavu ◽  
Dan Gabor ◽  
Sorin Iuliu Mangu
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Diesel Fuel ◽  
Static Electricity ◽  
Fuel Type ◽  
Point Temperature ◽  
Flammability Characteristics ◽  
Fuel Tanks ◽  
Temperature And Pressure ◽  
A Company

Diesel fuel in motion when is transporting by pipes when is mixing, pumping, filtering, agitating or by pouring them from one vessel to another can generate static charges. Also, static electricity may occur if the liquid is splashes and forms a mist inside the tank. Accumulation of static electricity can, under certain conditions, be discharge and ignite the flammable/explosive atmosphere. Ignition hazards from static discharges can be eliminated by controlling the generation or accumulation of static charges or by eliminating a flammable mixture where static electricity may be discharged. Factors that need to be considered to reduce the risk of ignition sunt flammability characteristics of explosive atmosphere (the vapor pressure, flash point, temperature, and pressure) and the factors that determine the charging of static electricity (fuel type, electrical conductivity, sulfur content, viscosity, vehicle process: flow rate, pipe diameter, filters, pumps, spark promoters). In this paper are presented some aspects regarding the technical, organizational requirements and responsibilities of the personnel designated to prevent the formation and accumulation of static electricity when loading diesel fuel tanks, starting from a case study, respectively some explosions which occurred to a company during the loading operation.

scholarly journals ANALYSIS OF SAFETY SYSTEM RELIABILITY KI HADJAR DEWANTARA MAKO KODICLATAL BUILDING TOWARDS FIRE HAZARDS PREVENTION

JOURNAL ASRO ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (02) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Dodiek Alfianzi ◽  
Ikhwan Syahtaria ◽  
Udisubakti Cipto Mulyono ◽  
I Made Jiwa Astika
Keyword(s):  
System Design ◽  
Management System ◽  
Fire Hazard ◽  
Inspection System ◽  
Fire Prevention ◽  
Fire Hazards ◽  
A Value ◽  
Precautionary Measures ◽  
Fire Prevention Management ◽  
In Fire

Designing a fire prevention inspection system in buildings is very necessary, to determine the level of reliability. The fire prevention management system uses the following criteria: precautionary measures and preventive supervision against fire hazards. The assessment of the system design is carried out by means of a questionnaire for respondents who understand / are experts in fire problems, and the application of the system design uses direct surveys and questionnaires to the building manager. The assessment is carried out at the smallest level. Analysis of the building reliability inspection system in fire prevention using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, the criteria used are: prevention, limitation and extinguishing against fire. The fire prevention management system uses the following criteria: precautionary measures and preventive supervision against fire hazards. The results of the reliability inspection of the Ki Hadjar Dewantara Mako Kodiklatal building in Surabaya with a value of 94.06% indicated that the reliability system was in the "Less Reliable" category for fire hazard prevention.   Keywords: Inspection, fire prevention, reliability.

scholarly journals Few layered Co(OH)2ultrathin nanosheet-based polyurethane nanocomposites with reduced fire hazard: from eco-friendly flame retardance to sustainable recycling

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 3066-3074 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junhao Zhang ◽  
Qinghong Kong ◽  
Lingwei Yang ◽  
De-Yi Wang
Keyword(s):  
Fire Hazard ◽  
Thermoplastic Polyurethane ◽  
Flame Retardance ◽  
Environment Pollution ◽  
Fire Hazards ◽  
Polyurethane Nanocomposites

Huge consumption of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) results in two serious challenges for our society: fire hazards and environment pollution.

Methodology for assigning objects of protection to a certain risk category in the field of fire safety

2020 ◽  
pp. 26-35
Author(s):  
Денис Валерьевич Зобков ◽  
Александр Алексеевич Порошин ◽  
Андрей Александрович Кондашов ◽  
Евгений Васильевич Бобринев ◽  
Елена Юрьевна Удавцова
Keyword(s):  
Fire Safety ◽  
Economic Activity ◽  
Fire Hazard ◽  
Fire Risk ◽  
Federal State ◽  
Risk Category ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Fire Hazards ◽  
Risk Categories

Проанализирован международный опыт реформирования проверок соблюдения требований пожарной безопасности и внедрения риск-ориентированного подхода. Разработана модель отнесения объектов защиты к категориям риска в зависимости от вероятного причинения вреда, который рассчитывается исходя из количества погибших и травмированных при пожарах людей. Сформулированы критерии отнесения объектов защиты к категориям риска. Выполнен расчет категорий риска для групп объектов, однородных по группам экономической деятельности и классам функциональной пожарной опасности. Проведено сравнение с существующей классификацией объектов защиты по категориям риска. The international experience of reforming of fire safety compliance checks and implementing a risk-based approach is considered. There are presented methodological approaches to calculating the risk of causing harm (damage) in buildings (structures) as a result of fire for the purpose of assignment of buildings and structures according to risk categories as well as justification of the frequency of scheduled inspections at these facilities. There is calculated the probability of fire occurrence for a group of objects of protection that are homogeneous by type of economic activity and functional fire hazard classes in order to assign objects of protection to certain risk categories. The social damage expressed in the death and injury of people as a result of fire is also calculated in order to assign objects of protection to certain risk categories. Classification of objects of protection according to the risk categories is performed using the indicator of the severity of potential negative consequences of fires. This indicator characterizes the degree of excess of the expected risk of negative consequences of fires for the corresponding group of objects of protection in relation to the value of the permissible risk of negative consequences of fire. The permissible risk of negative consequences of fires is calculated on the basis of statistical data, taking into account the value of the individual fire risk of exposure of critical values of fire hazards on person in buildings and structures. The criteria for assigning groups of objects of protection to the appropriate risk categories are formulated on the basis of formation of distribution of numerical values of the severity of potential negative consequences of fires. There are carried out the assessment of the severity of potential negative consequences of fires for objects of protection that are homogeneous by type of economic activity and functional fire hazard classes, and also the risk categories of the corresponding groups of objects are determined. The proposed classification of objects of protection according to risk categories is compared with the existing classification. The obtained results of calculations showed that scheduled inspections of objects of protection by the Federal state supervision bodies, depending on the assigned risk category and with corresponding frequency, have significant role in improving the level of fire safety of objects. The decrease in the intensity of scheduled inspections, at the same time, may lead to a corresponding decrease in the level of fire protection of objects.

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