Quantitative Evaluation of "Bleve" Hazards

Abstract

Rupture of a container in which a liquid is held above its atmospheric-pressure boiling point can result in explosive vaporization of a large fraction of the contents. This phe nomenon is called a Boiling-Liquid Expanding-Vapor Explosion ("BLEVE"). A method for estimating the TNT equivalence of a BLEVE is proposed, with descriptions of possible causes and consequences of the explosion and (if the contents are flammable) the con sequences of the resulting fireball.