Explosion

Fandita Tonyka Maharani, SKM, M.Sc, M.KKK

Explosion

An event leading to a rapid increase of pressure. This pressure

increase can be caused by: nuclear reactions, loss of containment in
high pressure vessels, high explosives, vapor explosions, runaway
reactions, combustion of dust, mist or gas (including vapors) in air
or in other oxidizers.

Source: Assael
Explosion-Shock Wave

• The term shock wave is used to describe the overpressure created

during an explosion from the rapid expansion of gases produced by
the explosion. It propagates at supersonic velocity and is the main
cause of damages.

Source: Assael
Gas Explosion

• A gas explosion is defined as a process where combustion of a premixed gas cloud

(i.e., fuel-air or fuel-oxidizer) is causing rapid increase of pressure. Gas explosions
are classified according to the environment where the explosion takes place as:

• Confined Gas Explosion: An explosion within vessels, pipes, channels or tunnels.

• Partly Confined Gas Explosion: An explosion in a compartment, buildings or off-
shore modules.
• Unconfined Gas Explosion: An explosion in plants and other unconfined areas.

Source: Assael
Vapour Cloud Explosion (VCE)

• If a flammable cloud is formed during the leakage of flammable

gases, its direct ignition can sometimes lead to a flash fire. If,
however, its ignition is for some reason delayed (5-10 min), then a
vapour cloud explosion (VCE) is the probable outcome. For ignition
to take place, the composition of the flammable gases in some part
of the vapor cloud must be between the flammability limits, while
at the same time a source able to supply the required energy
(usually of the order of 10 J), must be available.

Source: Assael
Vapour Cloud Explosion (VCE)

• The variables that influence the evolution and the intensity of an explosion
are:

- The type and the quantity of the flammable substance.

- The time span from the onset of the leakage until the ignition.
- The configuration of the space where the leakage took place.
- The position and the number of ignition sources in relation to the place of leak.

Source: Assael
BLEVE

• The BLEVE is an explosion due to flashing of liquids when a vessel

with a high vapor pressure substance fails. The failure of the
vessel is often caused by an external fire. If the substance
released is a fuel, the BLEVE can result in very largefire balls.
Rocketing vessels are also hazards related to BLEVE.

Source: Assael
Effects of Explosions

Source: Assael
Effects on Structure

• Building Collapse
• Major Structural Damage
• Minor Damages
• Breakage of Window Panes

Source: Assael
Effects on People

1) Direct or primary effects

The overpressure from the explosion's blast, can cause injury to sensitive human
organs, or death.

2) Indirect effects
The indirect effects are sub-divided into two categories
- secondary effects refer to injuries or death caused by fragments or debris thrown by
explosion's blast, or
- tertiary effects that refer to injuries or death caused by whole-body displacement
and collision with stationary objects or structures, as a consequence of the
explosion's blast and the associated wind.

Source: Assael
Effects on People

• Lung Damage
• Ear-Drum Rupture
• Head Impact
• Whole-Body Displacement Impact

Source: Assael
Reference

• Assael. 2010. Fires, Explosions, and Toxic Gas Dispersions. CRC

Press