Risk-based optimization of emergency response systems for accidental gas leakage in utility tunnels

Focusing on the effective configuration of emergency response systems in utility tunnels, this study proposes an innovative approach to optimize existing emergency response systems based on a consequence rapid prediction model and genetic algorithm. In the proposed approach, the interactions between different emergency response components are...

BI-IEnKF coupling model for effective source term estimation of natural gas leakage in urban utility tunnels

As an effective way to facilitate the increasing demand for reliable infrastructure, energy supply and sustainable urban development, underground utility tunnels have been developed rapidly in recent years. Due to the widespread distribution of utility tunnels, the safe operation of natural gas pipelines accommodated in utility tunnels has...

Safety barrier performance assessment by integrating computational fluid dynamics and evacuation modeling for toxic gas leakage scenarios

Toxic gas leakage represents a type of major process accident scenario threatening human life. Technical and non-technical safety barriers are employed to prevent toxic gas leakage accidents or mitigate the possible catastrophic consequences. Evacuation must be executed in severe toxic gas release scenarios. The performance assessment of...

Dynamic resilience assessment and emergency strategy optimization of natural gas compartments in utility tunnels

As a kind of critical infrastructure of energy transportation, so-called ‘utility tunnels’ have been developed around the world. Hosting a natural gas pipeline inside the natural gas compartment of a utility tunnel facilitates its maintenance but also brings potential explosion concerns due to the confined space. Although some work focuses on...

Prediction of gas leakage and dispersion in utility tunnels based on CFD-EnKF coupling model: A 3D full-scale application

Natural gas compartment accommodated in utility tunnels is beneficial in meeting the pressing demand of energy supply and sustainable urban environment. However, the leaking gas characterized by flammable and explosive can pose a huge threat to the safe operation of the utility tunnel. When an unexpected gas leakage accident happens in the...

Numerical analysis of multi-factors effects on the leakage and gas diffusion of gas drainage pipeline in underground coal mines

Gas drainage system is a critical technique to prevent gas outbursts in the underground coal mine. The leakage of gas drainage pipelines can pose serious threats to the safety production of underground mining. In this paper, a multi-factors gas drainage pipeline leakage and diffusion (GDPLD) model is proposed based on the OpenFOAM platform,...

CFD and EnKF coupling estimation of LNG leakage and dispersion

As a kind of clean fuel, increasing quantities of natural gas have been transported as liquefied natural gas (LNG) worldwide. The safety of LNG storage has gained the concerns from the public due to the potential severe consequences that may arise from LNG leakage. In this paper, a three-dimensional model with the combination of computational...

Residual ultimate strength of seamless metallic pipelines under a bending moment-a numerical investigation

Numerical investigation is conducted in this paper on both intact and dented seamless metallic pipelines (diameter-to-thickness ratio D/t around 21), deploying nonlinear finite element method (FEM). A full numerical model is developed, capable of predicting the residual ultimate strength of pipes in terms of bending capacity (M_cr)...

Residual ultimate strength of damaged seamless metallic pipelines with combined dent and metal loss

The combination damage induced by mechanical interference, in reality, is more likely to happen. In this paper, numerical models on pipes with combined dent and metal loss in terms of a notch are developed and validated through tests (diameter-to-thickness ratio D/t of test pipes around 21), capable of predicting the residual ultimate...

Residual ultimate strength of damaged seamless metallic pipelines with metal loss

On the basis of an experimental investigation [1], numerical investigation is conducted in this paper on damaged seamless metallic pipelines with metal loss (diameter-to-thickness ratio D/t around 21) through nonlinear finite element method (FEM). Numerical models are developed and validated through test results by using the measured material...