1974 · 21 citations · 0 references
EngineeringPetroleum EngineeringFire ManagementFire Protection EngineeringThermodynamicsFire Damage AssessmentFire DynamicsFire HazardsFire SafetyFire TestingHeat Transfer In FiresDischarge CoefficientFire-driven FlowsFire-induced Pressure DynamicsFuel Tank Rupture AnalysisHeat Flux MeasurementLiquefied Petroleum GasLiquefied Petroleum Gas Fuel SystemsPool Fires
A 127 kiloliter (33,600 gallon) railroad tank car was instrumented and filled with liquefied petroleum gas. A large JP-4 fuel pool fire then engulfed the tank car, and measurements of temperature, pressure, etc., were recorded as a function of time. After 24.5 minutes, the car failed catastrophically via stress-rupture. Mass flow rates and a discharge coefficient have been obtained for the relief valve. An analytical expression has been derived and then used to obtain the heat flux to the wetted surface of the tank car. The rupturing of the car is briefly discussed.