FDY 493 Jim Cleary

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Overview:

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What is an explosion?

What can fuel an explosion?

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Explosion effects Protection from explosions

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Case studies

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What is an explosion?

• Rapid combustion in a confined space • Requires fuel, oxidizer and ignition source • Rapid combustion causes container to rupture

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What can fuel an explosion?

• Flammable liquid vapours • Chemical explosives • Flammable gases

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Explosion effects

• Fireball • Ignition of nearby combustibles • Pressure wave • Damage to building and equipment • Injuries or fatalities • Shrapnel • Same as for pressure wave

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Protection from explosions

• Explosion venting – most common • Must be done in accordance with NFPA 68 • Explosion suppression • Very expensive

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Protection from explosions

• Containment • Requires very strong vessels • Inerting • Common for chemical reactor protection

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Case studies

• Pepcon • Oppau • Texas City • Port Chicago • Halifax

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Class work:

• Research the case studies noted above • Wikipedia has fairly good articles on all of them • Review the requirements of Chapter 5 of NFPA 68 • Note well the formula for calculating how much explosion vent area is required • NFPA 68 is available electronically in MySeneca from the library • Do the self-test located in MySeneca

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• Discussion • I’ll be available to do an online chat to discuss the material on the web page and in this presentation • Go to MySeneca, then Communication, then Collaboration, then April 25 Virtual Classroom (click ‘join’).