Investigation of Oil and Gas Well Fires and Flares. Final Report.
Investigation of Oil and Gas Well Fires and Flares.
Final Report.
(2524 K)
Dutta, P.; Sivathanu, Y. R.; Gore, J. P.
NIST GCR 94-653; NIST SP 995; Volume 2; 68 p. June
1994.
Sponsor:
National Institute of Standards and Technology,
Gaithersburg, MD
Available from:
National Technical Information Service
Order number: PB94-193976
Keywords:
oil well fires; fire research; heat flux; jet flames;
fire safety; pool fires; fire spread; industrial safety
Abstract:
A theoretical and experimental study of jet flames with
applications to large fires resulting from oil well and
gas well accidents is reported. The results have been
used in the interpretation of the single point radiation
heat flux data collected around well fires in Kuwait.
The significant accomplishments during the grant
include: development of a technique to find total
radiative heat flow from turbulent jet flames based on
measurements of heat flux at a single location; design
and successful operation of an effervescent
atomizer/burner; study of global properties of the high
liquid loading jet flames have shown that their lengths
are affected by two-phase flow effects and that their
soot loading and radiant output is lower than equivalent
pool flames. The first time opportunity to study high
liquid loading jet flames in the laboratory has led to a
study with applications in the industrial safety and
insurance-cost containment areas. Design of liquid
handling and storage systems, areas around storage tanks
and pipes, and fire safety and fire fighting procedures
and effectiveness will benefit from the laboratory
information concerning fire size, shape and radiant
output.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899