IMPLEMENTATION OF THERMAL PROTECTION SYSTEMS OF A TANK FARM FOR STORING PETROLEUM PRODUCTS BASED ON MODIFIED HYDROGEL COMPOSITIONS
An analysis of fires at oil products storage facilities over the past decade shows that the most dangerous emergencies in tank farms are cascade accidents, in which a fire, by means of radiant and convective heat transfer, passes from a burning tank to a neighboring one and can cover the entire tank group. This scenario is the worst scenario for the development of an accident in a tank farm, accompanied by human casualties and huge material damage. To prevent the cascade propagation of an accident, it is necessary to cool the tanks adjacent to the burning one, which is usually implemented using stationary cooling installations, which are an annular pipeline located in the upper belt of the tank. To date, the main heat agent in stationary cooling systems is water. The article presents the results of experimental studies and modeling of irrigation systems for storage tanks for petroleum products using modified water-gel compositions used as a heat agent. Typical design solutions for thermal protection systems with the use of modern pumping equipment for supplying a heat agent to the cooling system are proposed. Recommendations are given on the selection of pumping systems for the implementation of design solutions for the implementation of an innovative method in the practice of application.