Numerical Study on Leakage Dispersion Pattern and Hazardous Area of Ammonia Storage Tanks

Abstract

Ammonia can be extremely dangerous if it leaks during storage and use. Therefore, in this article, the ammonia leakage diffusion law is investigated and the hazardous area is analyzed by establishing numerical model and simulating the diffusion process of concentration, flow rate, and temperature of ammonia storage tanks at different leakage locations, wind speeds, and leakage amounts. In the results, it is shown that when the leakage port is located at the top of the tank, and ammonia in high concentrations is more deflected and closer to the surface with the increase of wind speeds, the high concentration of ammonia gas gradually takes a vertical shape with the increase of leakage volume. When the leakage location is at the bottom of the storage tank, the leeward side area is the hazardous area with the increase of wind speed. The area and height of the cloud of highly concentrated ammonia increase with the increase of leakage volume. When the leak is located on the side of the tank and the wind direction opposite side, with the increase of wind speed both sides of the tank are in the hazardous area. High concentrations of ammonia will spread backward across the tank with the increase of leakage volume.