Modeling the risk of acetone emission from a storage tank in summer and winter

Abstract

AbstractThe leakage of acetone from damaged tanks can threaten workers, surrounding facilities, and the environment. The safe storage of acetone is of vital importance for emergency planning and response. This paper focused on the effects and consequences of acetone leaks from a 200 m3 storage tank in the summer and winter seasons by the employment of Areal Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres. The hazard zones classified as red threat zone, orange threat zone, and yellow threat zone were determined and analyzed. Results showed that the risk distribution of the toxic acetone vapor cloud in summer was greater than those in winter. The summer and winter seasons have no significant effect on the thermal radiation intensities from pool fire and the Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE) scenario. The maximum distance of toxicity, flammability, and thermal radiation from the pool fire and BLEVE scenario for the acetone leakage were 547, 111, 16, and 1100 m, respectively. The results would provide guidance for decision‐makers in safety management and emergency response to reduce hazards.