(65bb) Application of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Pool Spreading and Vaporization on Water

A marked increase in LNG utilization is forecast with an increase in  LNG marine operations. A ship-ship collision of an LNG marine tanker or a rupture of the LNG loading and unloading lines can result in accidental spillage of LNG on water. Upon release, a spreading liquid can form a pool with rapid vaporization, leading to the formation of a flammable vapor cloud. Safety analyses for the protection of the public and property involve the determination of consequences of such accidental releases.  The evaluation of consequences resulting from an accidental spill of LNG on water involves the determination of the rate (vaporization rate/source term) at which flammable hydrocarbon vapor is produced and the dynamics of the spreading pool. A specific offshore scenario of rupture of an offloading line is considered resulting in an LNG spill on water, between the space enclosed by the offloading deck and the LNG ship. This scenario was studied experimentally by releasing LNG in a narrow concrete trench filled with water. The experimental study involves the determination of the vaporization rate for a continuous release of LNG in a trench. Along with the vaporization rate, the spreading rate, pool area and pool height were measured. The computational work involves development of a methodology to model the pool spreading and vaporization behavior in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for the defined scenario. The overall aim of this research is to improve the understanding of pool spreading and vaporization of LNG releases on water.