Elevated Explosion Simulations on Fuel Storage Tanks Using OpenFOAM
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70567/mc.v42.ocsid8335Keywords:
blast wave, storage tanks, OpenFOAM, explosion heightAbstract
Failures in atmospheric storage tanks represent a critical concern in the oil industry, primarily caused by overpressure due to their structural vulnerability. While rarely resulting in injuries, they lead to significant material losses and operational disruptions. This study investigates blast wave interactions with storage tanks, focusing on the effect of detonation height. Using rhoCentralFoam in Open- FOAM, we simulated spherical explosions at varying heights (constant horizontal distance), modeling energy release as instantaneous point/line sources. Chemical reactions were excluded for computational efficiency, with air as the sole fluid medium. Results demonstrate that elevated explosions generate complex dynamics (e.g., Mach stem formation) and localized overpressures, revealing limitations in current design standards. The study provides foundations for improving safety regulations and structural reinforcement strategies, while introducing a novel methodology to analyze blast-structure interactions in process industries.
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