Study on the Evaluation of Radiant Heat Effects of Oil Storage Tank Fires Due to Environmental Conditions

Abstract

In this paper, the risk of damages to humans and properties due to fire explosions in gasoline storage tanks is identified, and the effects of radiant heat on adjacent tanks are evaluated to present the necessary area to secure safety. A simulation was conducted to evaluate the effect of radiant heat (Maximum emission) on adjacent tanks in an oil storage tank fire due to environmental conditions (Wind speed and temperature) in the Northern Gyeonggi Province. The result indicated that the radiant heat released in the fire of an oil storage tank was increased by approximately 1.9 times by the maximum wind speed and the difference occurred in the range of 700~800 kW by the maximum temperature. If a storage tank fire occurs, securing approximately 34.4 m of holding area is necessary. In the future, evaluating the radiant heat emitted by the fire of gasoline storage tanks will be required by applying various environmental conditions, and through this, research on specific and quantitative holding area is required.