Predictive Analysis of Ranges of Damage Impact to High School Cafeterias Caused by Boiling Liquid Expansion Vapor Explosion and Vapor Cloud Explosion of Small LPG Storage Tanks

This study analyzes the risks of boiling liquid expansion vapor explosions (BLEVEs) and vapor cloud explosions (VCEs) of small LPG storage tanks installed in high school cafeterias. For this purpose, the ranges of effect of thermal radiation and overpressure caused by the BLEVE and VCE of a 1000-kg small LPG storage tank installed in a cafeteria were quantitatively evaluated by applying the Areal Location of Hazardous Atmospheres program. The ranges of influence of the derived thermal radiation and explosion overpressure were found to have maximum radii of 267 m and 184 m, respectively. The study determined that fatalities from thermal radiation of 10 kW/m2 could occur within 122 m of the exploded storage tank, and those within 141 m could be severely injured by a explosion overpressure of 3.5 psi. The separation distance between the LPG storage tank and surrounding facilities was found to be somewhat insufficient to meet the acceptable standard separation distance and thus could cause severe damage in the event of an explosion. The safety management plan for the LPG storage tank was discussed while considering the characteristics of the gas leakage area at the school cafeteria and the extent of the damage. These research results are meaningful as a first study to evaluate the risk of LPG storage tanks used in school cafeterias. In addition, they can be used as basic data for predicting possible damage and its extent when installing small LPG storage tanks in school cafeterias, while also helping to establish emergency response plans and prevent fires and explosions.