Simulation and Damage Analysis of an Accidental Jet Fire in a High-Pressure Compressed Pump Shelter.

BACKGROUND: As one of the most frequently occurring accidents in a chemical plant, a fire accident may occur at any place where transfer or handling of combustible materials is routinely performed.

METHODS: In particular, a jet fire incident in a chemical plant operated under high pressure may bring severe damage. To review this event numerically, Computational Fluid Dynamics methodology was used to simulate a jet fire at a pipe of a compressor under high pressure.

RESULTS: For jet fire simulation, the Kemeleon FireEx Code was used, and results of this simulation showed that a structure and installations located within the shelter of a compressor received serious damage.

CONCLUSION: The results confirmed that a jet fire may create a domino effect that could cause an accident aside from the secondary chemical accident.